JEDDAH, 11 December 2005 — The international football federation FIFA yesterday dealt a blow to Asian champions Al-Ittihad hopes when they ruled out three Brazilian players from World Club Championships on a registration technicality on the eve of its opener against Al Ahly of Egypt in Tokyo.
According to FIFA the three players, Pedro Paulo, Marco Alberto Skavinki and Aparecido Lima, were deemed ineligible because they weren’t properly registered by Al-Ittihad during either of the two designated registration periods fixed by the Saudi Arabia’s football federation.
FIFA made the decision after an official complaint from African champions Al Ahly. Ittihad’s Romanian coach Anghel Iordanescu had accused Al Ahly of playing mind games.
“It’s a problem for us,” said Iordanescu. “We’re not comfortable with it. When I found out the news I was nervous, but now I’m calm, I’m well and I hope I’ll be the same tomorrow after the game.”
The winners of this match take on Libertadores Cup holders Sao Paulo in the semifinals on Wednesday. The final match will take place next Sunday. Ahly fans sounded optimistic about the game saying that it will be an easy one for their side as their performance in the Egyptian league is perfect, winning all ten games.
Ittihad, despite these exclusions, are still a formidable team, even their critics see Ittihad extending its winning streak by beating Ahly.
— With input from agencies
