The international Football Federation, FIFA, has confirmed that Real Madrid and Sevilla can keep their Malian players Mahamadou Diarra and Frederic Kanoute respectively for the last matchday in the Spanish League than letting them play for Mali in the African qualifiers. "Fifa has sent a fax to the Malian Football Association today confirming that Kanoute and Diarra should be allowed to play for their respective Spanish clubs this weekend,” said the Fifa spokesman Andreas Herren. "The request for this weekend's Cup of Nations fixtures were submitted by Confederation of African Football to Fifa after the fixtures for the Spanish championship were already in place.” Both players were due to play for Mali against Sierra Leone on Sunday in a critical game of the African qualifiers. While Real Madrid, Barcelona and Sevilla are all in the final sprint to snatch La Primera Liga trophy on Sunday. "According to Fifa rules this means the players are not subject to a 'compulsory release' to play for their country. "The Malian Football Association have been asked to comply with Fifa rules by making the players available for their domestic matches." Real need the victory to secure their first major title in four years while Barca and Sevilla are hoping for a slip up from the Merengues who will face Real Mallorca at the Bernabeu.
