Clubs Forcing Soccer Stars To Miss Olympics

Wellington, FL (AHN) - Ask a great deal of athletes who have been at the Olympics. The greatest honors of their careers have been to stand upon a pedestal, while their national anthem plays just for them. Nonetheless, it's an honor being denied to many athletes by their soccer clubs.

Kaka, a 26-year-old Brazilian star, is being forbidden to play for his country by A.C. Milan. Likewise, Lionel Messi wants to play for Argentina, but the Barcelona club has forbidden it.

FIFA has issued threats and warnings to clubs, saying that restricting their players from attending the Olympics may get their clubs banned - however, clubs are finding ways around this.

Real Madrid, for example, denied Brazilian Robson de Souza entry to the Olympics, citing a groin injury he had, despite the fact it would have clearly healed by the time he was there.

Some athletes are declaring war on their clubs, so to speak, by simply leaving them to attend, despite their objections. Brazilian defender Rafinha has gone AWOL from his team, Schalke 04. Midfielder Diego, also Brazilian, followed suit.

The club owners believe they have no legal obligation to make their players available for the Olympics, as the games are not synched to the international calendar. They pay the athletes' salaries and train them, while they gain nothing - but risk everything, in case of injury - from the Olympics.

The next move seems to be on FIFA, which is already getting immense pressure from the International Olympic Committee.