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28 March 2024

Inter make blacklisted Sneijder available

Published
By AFP

Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder is available for selection for Inter Milan, coach Andrea Stramaccioni said three days after the Italian club were accused of blackmailing the player.

"Wes has trained well like all the others and just like all the others he could be included in the squad for tomorrow," Stramaccioni told reporters Saturday.

If Sneijder even makes it on to the bench for Inter's home match against Palermo on Sunday, it would signal a dramatic turnaround.

Sneijder has not played for Inter for two months due to injury and his recent return to fitness coincided with the unscheduled re-negotiation of his current contract, which does not expire until June 2015.

Inter effectively announced last week that 28-year-old Sneijder, a World Cup finalist in 2010, would not play for the club again until he agreed to new terms.

The news angered the professional footballers' trade union FIFPro, which said it would be appealing to UEFA and FIFA over what it regards as attempts to "blackmail" players.

In an article headlined 'FIFPro wants to end blackmail behaviour of clubs', FIFPro claimed: "Inter has demanded that the Dutch international extend his contract until 2016, but then for exactly the same total salary.

"In other words, to work a year longer without receiving any salary for it."

Inter sit third in Serie A four points behind leaders and champions Juventus, who host Torino for the first Turin derby in three years Saturday.

Having dropped points in recent fixtures, Stramaccioni said he expects nothing less than all three points at the San Siro on Sunday.

"I expect us to respond, we have to and we want to start sprinting again, getting points again," he said.

Argentine striker Diego Milito could start on the bench, or miss the match altogether due to a muscle twinge felt in training, according to Stramaccioni.

He added: "We have a few doubts, some of the players aren't in tip-top condition and our approach going into tomorrow's game will be crucial."