 Frederic Kanoute is apparently keen to play at the Olympics with Mali |
Mali's Frederic Kanoute may face another club versus country row after apparently saying that he wants to play at the Olympic Games in Athens. The Tottenham Hotspur striker could be chosen as one of three over-age players permitted to join the under-23 side at the Olympic football tournament.
If he does play in Athens between 13-29 August it would mean he misses the start of the English Premiership season.
Kanoute's future at Spurs could depend on whether he decides to go to the Olympics, as the club could opt to sell him just a year after buying him for US $7.4 million.
The France-born striker has already upset Spurs by switching his allegiance to Mali, his parents' homeland, so he could play at the Cup of Nations finals in Tunisia.
The 26-year-old was an instant success for his new country as he finished joint top scorer at the tournament with four goals.
"It is expected we will select Kanoute for the Olympics," a spokesman for the Mali Football Federation said.
Kanoute has struggled to regain his place in the Spurs line-up since he returned from Tunisia.
MMIX
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