Lionel Messi: Olympics dream over?
Barcelona will block Lionel Messi playing for Argentina at the Beijing Olympics, unless they are legally compelled to do release the striker.
The Spanish giants want Messi to feature in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League third qualifying round tie on 12th/13th August.
But this game clashes with the Olympics, which take place from 6th-23rd August.
Barcelona's stance is sure to set them on a collision course with the 20-year-old forward, who said last month it would be his decision to go, if selected, adding he was excited by the prospect of playing.
But Barca's sports director Txiki Beguiristain told a news conference: "The regulations will decide. If they protect us he will play the Champions League qualifier, if not, we are obliged to let him go to the Olympics.
"It isn't the player's decision and we understand the regulations favour us."
New Barca coach Pep Guardiola, speaking at his official presentation, added: "I hope we will have all our players together from the first day, because the sooner we have everyone together the better."
The stance by the Spanish giants could also affect Brazil full-back Dani Alves who has agreed a move to the Catalan club from Sevilla, though the transfer has not yet been completed.
But neither Argentina nor Brazil have announced their squads for the Olympics. Players under the age of 23 are allowed to take part, plus three over-age players.
The second leg of Barcelona's Champions League qualifier will take place on either 26th or 27th of August.
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 13th February | |
| Spanish Primera Liga | |
| 17:00 | Sporting Gijon vs Valencia |
| 19:00 | Xerez vs Real Madrid |
| 21:00 | Villarreal vs Athletic Bilbao |
| Sunday 14th February | |
| Spanish Primera Liga | |
| 16:00 | Espanyol vs Deportivo La Coruna |
| 16:00 | Getafe vs Almeria |
| 16:00 | Racing Santander vs Malaga |
| 16:00 | Valladolid vs Real Zaragoza |
| 18:00 | Sevilla vs Osasuna |
| 20:00 | Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona |
| Monday 15th February | |
| Spanish Primera Liga | |
| 20:00 | Tenerife vs Mallorca |
| Saturday 20th February | |
| Spanish Primera Liga | |
| 17:00 | Deportivo La Coruna vs Xerez |
| 19:00 | Barcelona vs Racing Santander |
| 21:00 | Mallorca vs Sevilla |
| Sunday 21st February | |
| Spanish Primera Liga | |
| 16:00 | Athletic Bilbao vs Tenerife |
| 16:00 | Malaga vs Espanyol |
| 16:00 | Osasuna vs Valladolid |
| 16:00 | Real Zaragoza vs Sporting Gijon |
| 18:00 | Almeria vs Atletico Madrid |
| 20:00 | Real Madrid vs Villarreal |
| Monday 22nd February | |
| Spanish Primera Liga | |
| 20:00 | Valencia vs Getafe |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 7th February | |
| Spanish Primera Liga | |
| Malaga 0 - 0 Deportivo La Coruna | |
| Athletic Bilbao 3 - 2 Xerez | |
| Osasuna 1 - 0 Tenerife | |
| Mallorca 1 - 0 Villarreal | |
| Real Zaragoza 2 - 1 Sevilla | |
| Racing Santander 1 - 1 Atletico Madrid | |
| Almeria 3 - 1 Sporting Gijon | |
| Saturday 6th February | |
| Spanish Primera Liga | |
| Valencia 2 - 0 Valladolid | |
| Barcelona 2 - 1 Getafe | |
| Real Madrid 3 - 0 Espanyol | |
| Sunday 31st January | |
| Spanish Primera Liga | |
| Xerez 2 - 1 Mallorca | |
| Villarreal 0 - 2 Osasuna | |
| Tenerife 1 - 3 Real Zaragoza | |
| Valladolid 1 - 1 Almeria | |
| Sevilla 2 - 1 Valencia | |
| Atletico Madrid 0 - 2 Malaga | |
| Getafe 0 - 0 Racing Santander | |
| Saturday 30th January | |
| Spanish Primera Liga | |
| Espanyol 1 - 0 Athletic Bilbao | |
| Sporting Gijon 0 - 1 Barcelona | |
| Deportivo La Coruna 1 - 3 Real Madrid | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barcelona | 21 | 55 |
| 2 | Real Madrid | 21 | 50 |
| 3 | Valencia | 21 | 42 |
| 4 | Real Mallorca | 21 | 37 |
| 5 | Sevilla | 21 | 36 |
| 6 | Deportivo La Coruna | 21 | 35 |
| 7 | Athletic Bilbao | 21 | 33 |
| 8 | Getafe | 21 | 31 |
| 9 | Osasuna | 21 | 29 |
| 10 | Villarreal | 21 | 26 |
| 11 | Racing Santander | 21 | 25 |
| 12 | Atletico Madrid | 21 | 24 |
| 13 | Sporting Gijon | 21 | 24 |
| 14 | Espanyol | 21 | 23 |
| 15 | Almeria | 21 | 22 |
| 16 | Malaga | 21 | 21 |
| 17 | Real Zaragoza | 21 | 20 |
| 18 | Real Valladolid | 21 | 18 |
| 19 | Tenerife | 21 | 17 |
| 20 | Xerez | 21 | 11 |
We look at the latest row between Barcelona and Real Madrid and talk to Getafe coach Michel.
Barca had two men sent off, Robbie Keane scored for Celtic while FC Twente finally lost in Holland.
When it comes to criticising referees Real Madrid have overtaken Barcelona, says Guillem.
Bojan Krkic is frustrated at a lack of opportunities at Barcelona but insists he has no desire to leave.
Ramon Calderon claims Cristiano Ronaldo resisted interest from Barcelona to move to the Bernabeu.
Gonzalo Higuain would relish the opportunity to commit his long-term future to Real Madrid.
Barcelona have announced that Eric Abidal is set to be sidelined for six to eight weeks.
Kaka has rejected reports that he is still being troubled by a sporting hernia and is ready to return to his best.