The 2006 Champions League and UEFA Cup finals have been brought forward a week to allow players enough time to prepare for the World Cup in Germany.
The Champions League final in Paris will now be played May 17 instead of May 24, UEFA president Lennart Johansson said Tuesday. The UEFA Cup final in Eindhoven was switched from May 17 to May 10.
The World Cup kicks off June 9 in Munich and ends July 9 in Berlin.
Players selected for the 2006 World Cup will not be allowed to play for their clubs after May 15, FIFA announced.
“The 23 players on the list (for each of the 32 participating nations) will not be available for any other competition (after this date),” FIFA general secretary Urs Linsi said on Tuesday.
“We don’t want burned out players. They will be free from any other engagement.
“The Champions League final is a special exception,”
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