Hughes defies Premiership clubs
Friday, November 1, 2002
Article summary
Wales manager Mark Hughes will invoke FIFA's four-day release clause ahead of the Group 9 tie in Azerbaijan.
Article body
Hughes demand
Wales manager Mark Hughes will use UEFA regulations to insist all his players arrive at their Cardiff training camp by 3pm on the Sunday before the Group 9 game in Baku. This will affect four players scheduled to play for their clubs on the same day - Manchester United FC winger Ryan Giggs, midfield players Mark Pembridge and Robbie Savage of Everton FC and Birmingham City FC, and the Fulham FC defender Andy Melville.
'Only option'
Hughes said: "Instead of having players arriving late on the Sunday and unable to then train on the Monday and then only having one training session prior to the game, the four-day rule allows me to have a training session on the Sunday and another on the Monday morning before we fly out. I understand the difficulties the clubs have but I feel it is the only option open to me."
Celtic compliance
Scottish champions Celtic FC, who are also in action on 17 November, have agreed to release striker John Harton in accordance with the FAW request.
