World Football

MADRID, July 25 (Reuters) - Barcelona will only release Argentine forward Lionel Messi to play in the Olympic Games if they are threatened by FIFA sanctions, according to the club's sporting director Txiki Begiristain.

On Wednesday, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said that clubs must release eligible Under-23 players for next month's Olympic soccer tournament but Begiristain said the circular received by Barcelona made no reference to any punishment.

"The FIFA circular doesn't oblige us to do anything," Begiristain told reporters after the team's 6-0 win over Hibernian in a pre-season friendly at Murrayfield on Thursday.

"There is no talk in it about sanctions or punishment for the club, only about the Olympic spirit. But there is nothing else new in it, so it is our understanding that everything else remains the same."

Begiristain said that the club's refusal to release the 21-year-old had been prompted by the fact they had to play a Champions League qualifier during the Olympics.

"We understand the importance of the Games but FIFA and the AFA (Argentine Football Association) need to understand the importance of the Champions League," he said.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said Blatter should make an immediate decision over the matter.

"Blatter has to decide now because Leo is being affected," he told reporters. "He should decide if he goes to Beijing or stays with us and then the case should be closed because the lad has to focus on what he is doing."

The AFA have said they expect FIFA to make a final decision over the matter on Tuesday.