SPORT: NEW EU CHALLENGE TO FOOTBALL RULES.(Charleroi sues International Federation of...

The Oulmers lawsuit is currently making its way through the Belgian system, but is expected to be passed up to the EU Court as it involves issues that national jurisdictions are thought unable to rule on.

The case involves an incident in November 2004 when Charleroi, in Belgium's first division, tried to withdraw Abdelmajid Oulmers from the Morocco squad for a friendly match against Burkina Faso to protect him from injury. But world football authority FIFA ruled that Mr Oulmers had to play. He tore ankle ligaments and was out of action for seven months. Charleroi missed