Uefa overrules Chelsea

UEFA insists Atletico Madrid will not have
to pay Chelsea any compensation to field
goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in the UEFA
Champions League semi-final between the
teams.
Courtois is in his third season on loan with
the Spanish club from Chelsea and the
teams were paired together in Friday's
draw in Nyon.
Media reports suggested Chelsea and
Atletico agreed a clause in the keeper's
contract that the Madrid team would pay
around £5m in compensation if the clubs
clashed in European competition. And
Atletico have indicated that they would not
be prepared to field him at that price, and
would abide by the agreement with the
Blues.
But UEFA look certain to overturn
Chelsea's attempts to prohibit the Belgium
international taking part in a competitive
match between the teams.
A UEFA statement issued prior to the draw
read: "In response to media reports
referring to the situation of Club Atlético
de Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois,
UEFA would like to reiterate its position.
"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."

Haha, this is bad for Chelsea, can't wait for Mourinho's comments.