The Spanish Football League have stated that Real Mallorca can play Giovani dos Santos on Saturday, despite a protest from Mexico and a request from FIFA.
Mexico have named Dos Santos in their squad for a series of upcoming internationals, starting with a World Cup qualifier against Jamaica on June 4 and leading into the Confederations Cup in Brazil on June 15.
Where the Mexican federation have called on FIFA to push for the player’s release, Mallorca have held firm, determining that June 4 is not a recognised FIFA date for internationals, and that they do not have to release him four days prior to that game, but only 14 days before the Confederations Cup.
In a statement released on Friday evening, the LFP have backed Mallorca and indicated that the player can feature in his side’s must-win relegation game on Saturday evening, due to the wording of FIFA’s request.
“FIFA on Friday sent to Mallorca a statement which referenced a new and exclusive rule to release the player to dispute at the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 and not to dispute the match for the World Cup qualifier for Brazil 2014, Mexico-Jamaica,” explained the LFP.
“Players who participate in this competition must be available to their teams 14 days before the opening match, ie from the day June 2, 2013.
“Given that the opening match of the Confederations Cup is scheduled for June 15, the regulation will be met.”
The LFP determined that Mallorca will release the player on Saturday night and have acted in good faith and in ‘strict compliance’ with FIFA rules.
