World soccer's body FIFA in Zurich said on Wednesday that clubs must release any players aged under 23 chosen for the Beijing Olympic Games.

In Wednesday's statement, FIFA said Players' Status Committee member Slim Aloulou had ruled as a single judge that the release of players was mandatory for all clubs.

"The single judge determined that the international match calendar is not of relevance in establishing whether clubs are obliged to release players," FIFA said.

(Xinhua News Agency July 31, 2008)