Gareth Bale "could be banned" by FIFA

[MJsGhost]

Bale could be banned from football (for the duration of the Olympics) if FIFA receive an official complaint from the FA after he pulled out of the Olympic squad due to 'injury' only to play for Spurs before the Olympics have even started.

I'm not really sure how I feel about this - I can see why players might not want to play for a GB side, having more of a team allegiance to their 'home nation', but passing up a chance to represent GB in the London games...?!
It would be interesting to know whether this has come from pressure on Bale from Spurs not to play (they do pay his wages after all), or whether he just wasn't interested...

Regardless of the whys & wherefores, it would be mildly amusing if he was banned from playing because of the bullshit excuse given for pulling out of the Olympics...

What do the assorted folk of NSC think?


Link & article:
London 2012: Sepp Blatter warns Gareth Bale could be banned | Sport | guardian.co.uk

Fifa's president Sepp Blatter has said that Gareth Bale could be banned from playing for Tottenham Hotspur during the Olympics, but only if the Football Association lodges an official complaint.

Bale withdrew from Stuart Pearce's Team GB men's football Olympic squad due to injury, but the Welshman played and scored in a pre-season friendly against LA Galaxy in California on Wednesday morning.

The FA and British Olympic Association have not commented on Bale's appearance, but Blatter said if there was an official complaint to Fifa then the 23-year-old could be banned for playing for Spurs – even in friendlies – until 12 August.

"The principle is that if a club does not release a player then this association can come to Fifa and we will then ban this player during the duration of the Olympics," said Blatter. "So far nobody came to Fifa to say we should, but it is a possibility we could ban these players if they are not at the disposal of the national team.

"They [the association] complain and then we say let this player go or he cannot play for the club. Fifa's position has never been so clear than it is now for the Olympics 2012 and 2016."

Fifa would have to judge that the club had not released him, but Spurs would argue Bale only returned to fitness this week. Blatter admitted that some countries – such as Switzerland – had not insisted on clubs releasing players but that all were entitled to do so.

After making his comeback, Bale revealed his rehabilitation from a back injury was "well ahead of schedule".

He told Spurs TV Online: "After about 65 minutes my calf started to cramp up a bit but it was a good workout. It was one that I needed and it was good to get a goal as well. My rehab's gone very well at the club - we are well ahead of schedule.

"I am glad to be back. It's important to get a pre-season under my belt for the season forthcoming so I am just delighted to be back now without any problems."

Bale came under fire on Twitter today, with former Wales star Robbie Savage posting: "So A legend like [Ryan] giggs plays for the GB team , but bale who pulls out with injury scores for spurs last night , is that right ?

"Wales capt [Aaron] Ramsey, most decorated player giggs , prem league winner [Micah] Richards , does bale think he's better than that even if he is class !"

Former England captain Gary Lineker posted: "Gareth Bale who pulled out of the Olympics through injury played for Spurs last night. Once in a lifetime opportunity thrown away £baffled."

 

[sydney]

not sure if anyone gives a shyte tbh ............hold on , let's see.::

 

[Deleted member 18477]

Once in a lifetime opportunity. Mug!

 

[Bladders]

.........next.........

 

[strings]

It seems a strange one. Bale seemed well up for playing for Team GB, posing in the 'supporters' shirt before the tournament and generally annoying the Welsh FA. Therefore I don't think there is any malice on the part of Gareth Bale. What a way to ruin a once in a lifetime opportunity (this opportunity is doubly 'once in a lifetime' for a Welshman!).

I wonder whether Spurs over-egged the injury because they didn't want one of their star players being risked.

I'm off to see the game tomorrow at Old Trafford.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Yep, ban him. It's taking the p*ss to withdraw due to 'injury' and then play on anyway.

 

[gazingdown]

As I understand it, Bale WAS injured at the time of selection so wasn't chosen.

He has subsequently recovered from injury (which most players do!). What was supposed to do, NOT recover until after the Olympics?

As he has been injured, he won't have trained with the GB squad so even if they did want him now, he'd not be "IN" the team as such (i.e. won't know their system etc.) as not having been with them for the lead-up.

A non-story in other words.

 

[beorhthelm]

As I understand it, Bale WAS injured at the time of selection so wasn't chosen.

ah... puts a different light on it doesnt it? i wonder if Linker, Savage etc have considered this point?

from the bbc of 30th jun:

Tottenham winger Gareth Bale will not be available to play for Team GB's football side at the Olympics after aggravating a back injury in training.

Bale, 22, was set to be named in manager Stuart Pearce's 18-man squad that is being announced on Monday.

The Welshman was due to be one of the star names in the squad, but following medical advice was forced to withdraw.

so in training he had an injury and the presumably FA medical staff on hand advised he withdraw. with only an 18 man squad you can see Pearce wouldnt want to take a chance (see Beckham). 3 weeks later, he's deemed fit to play non-competitve games, much as happens all season long (players have a few games in the reserves).

so worse than a non-story, the media have sought to somehow vilify him for something he didnt chose to do.

really, Linker and Savage should have check a bit before jumping on.

 

[SeagullSongs]

I'm really not fussed with Team GB to be honest. Football shouldn't even be in the Olympics.

 

[JJ McClure]

Fifa's president Sepp Blatter has said that Gareth Bale could be banned from playing for Tottenham Hotspur during the Olympics, but only if the Football Association lodges an official complaint.

But which Football Association would complain? The Welsh FA didn't want him to play anyway and the English FA surely can't complain as he's Welsh.

 

[HastingsSeagull]

He should be. If don't want to play use another excuse and tell the truth. If injured then can't play...... simples

 

[Medwayseagull]

As I understand it, Bale WAS injured at the time of selection so wasn't chosen.

He has subsequently recovered from injury (which most players do!). What was supposed to do, NOT recover until after the Olympics?

As he has been injured, he won't have trained with the GB squad so even if they did want him now, he'd not be "IN" the team as such (i.e. won't know their system etc.) as not having been with them for the lead-up.

A non-story in other words.

Blimey you think Stuart Pearce has a system - that's optimistic.

 

[severnside gull]

To be honest does it matter? The GB set-up was a shambles from the day that Scotland and Wales FA's came out against it and with Pearce at the helm it is a pretty hopeless cause.
No-one will be bothered to complain.

 

[Easy 10]

Fifa's president Sepp Blatter has said that Gareth Bale could be banned from playing for Tottenham Hotspur during the Olympics, but only if the Football Association lodges an official complaint.

But which Football Association would complain? The Welsh FA didn't want him to play anyway and the English FA surely can't complain as he's Welsh.

Mores the point - why would they even care ?

 

[Gritt23]

Yep, ban him. It's taking the p*ss to withdraw due to 'injury' and then play on anyway.

Agreed. It's not really the GB Team that's the issue here, it's showing that proper rules are being followed when we get players withdrawing through injuries for England, Wales, Scotland etc. there is too much talk about sanctions being taken, and not enough enforcement.

If he can't play the next couple of weeks for GB because of "injury" but if currently playing pre-season friendlies for Spurs, then ban him. Thems the rules, so why not apply them?

 

[Bakero]

I'm really not fussed with Team GB to be honest. Football shouldn't even be in the Olympics.

I don't really get that point of view. Olympic football pre-dates The World Cup and The Euros.

 

[Seagull58]

If he was injured when he withdraw and then recovered enough to play a friendly, no problem. If he wasn't injured, ban him.

 

[tottenhamseagull]

FIFA themselves have said that it ISNT a FIFA tournament.
Bale had an injury when the squad was picked - Pearce didn't take the risk, now not injured. He can play. Not really an argument is there?

 

[Easy 10]

Agreed. It's not really the GB Team that's the issue here, it's showing that proper rules are being followed when we get players withdrawing through injuries for England, Wales, Scotland etc. there is too much talk about sanctions being taken, and not enough enforcement.

If he can't play the next couple of weeks for GB because of "injury" but if currently playing pre-season friendlies for Spurs, then ban him. Thems the rules, so why not apply them?

I agree with the sentiment, but FIFA have stated they will only act if they receive a complaint from the FA.

It doesn't matter one jot to the FA or the FAW whether Bale is involved in the Olympics, its nothing to do with them, so presumably the complaint would have to come from Stuart Pearce / Team GB. And they're probably too busy getting prepared to try to avoid a monstering from Senegal to get involved in a pointless squabble that will ultimately achieve precisely nothing.

It leaves a sour taste, but this is all a sideshow gimmick anyway. We're never going to bother with a GB football team after this tournament, we've never taken it seriously, and still won't after this.

 

[gazingdown]

Agreed. It's not really the GB Team that's the issue here, it's showing that proper rules are being followed when we get players withdrawing through injuries for England, Wales, Scotland etc. there is too much talk about sanctions being taken, and not enough enforcement.

If he can't play the next couple of weeks for GB because of "injury" but if currently playing pre-season friendlies for Spurs, then ban him. Thems the rules, so why not apply them?

Have you not read the thread, he can't play for GB because he was not selected.

He was not selected as he was injured at the time of selection (AIUI whilst with the GB squad, not Spurs "telling" them he is injured - so different to the examples you are thinking of).

I can only assume GB had final preparations (after selection) to do leading up the games and didn't want to disrupt things by bringing back a player who has recovered (understandably not way of knowing if he would or not at the time) and also, which selected player do you get rid of to make way for him. Also, I assume there is a cut off date for ALL teams where they have to submit their squad lists so couldn't retrspectively select him anyway.

As I say, a non-story and Bale (AFAIK) has done nothing wrong, neither have Spurs.