UEFA Allows Courtois to face Chelsea

Atletico Madrid's president had said his side could not afford the fee required in order for the Belgian to play against his parent club but UEFA says any clause is "unenforceable".



UEFA has told Chelsea that Thibaut Courtois will be allowed to play for Atletico Madrid when the two clubs meet in the Champions League semi-final.

Atletico’s president Enrique Cerezo had claimed that the club could not afford the fee, believed to be above £8 million, required in order for the on-loan goalkeeper to feature against his parent side.

But UEFA insists any clause in the Belgian’s contract with Chelsea is “null, void and unenforceable” during a Champions League fixture, with general secretary Gianni Infantino confirming the Blues would be punished if they try to enforce it.

A statement from UEFA read: “The integrity of sporting competition is a fundamental principle for UEFA."

“Both the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations contain clear provisions which strictly forbid any club to exert, or attempt to exert, any influence whatsoever over the players that another club may (or may not) field in a match."

“It follows that any provision in a private contract between clubs which might function in such a way as to influence who a club fields in a match is null, void and unenforceable so far as UEFA is concerned."

“Furthermore, any attempt to enforce such a provision would be a clear violation of both the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations and would therefore be sanctioned accordingly.”

Following the draw, which pitted together the two clubs, UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino confirmed that the Blues would face disciplinary action if they tried to stop Courtois facing them."

"The Courtois clause, for us, is not valid, if Chelsea were to argue against the decision they would be sanctioned," he said.