Romero on collision course with Spurs over Olympic dream
TOTTENHAM defender Cristian Romero has expressed a desire to play for Argentina at the Olympics this summer.
The men’s football at the Paris Games runs from July 24 to August 9 and finishes the week before the new Premier League season starts.
It is an Under-23s tournament but each country is allowed to select three older players.
Romero will already be representing Argentina at the Copa America this summer, which runs between June 20 and July 14, but has made himself available for the Olympics.
“I never had the chance to be in the Olympic Games and I would love to,” said Romero (right).
“Obviously, it doesn’t depend on me, but if you want to take me I am available for the Argentine national team.
“I continue with the same enthusiasm and desire as always to continue doing things well at the club to continue having the possibility of being here.”
Clubs can veto call-ups, as the Olympics is not recognised by FIFA, and Spurs are unlikely to be happy about the prospect of Romero playing in two major tournaments this summer. But they could be left in a difficult position if the centre-back is called up for the Olympics, having expressed a desire to play.
Meanwhile, Spurs midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has revealed he has been playing with a broken toe for “two or three weeks”. Bentancur has been on the bench for Spurs’s past two games and says he has been managing an injury he suffered in training. Spurs face Luton on Saturday when they will be looking to bounce back after their 3-0 defeat by Fulham before the international break. A group of Spurs fans is planning a protest this weekend against the club’s move to scrap senior concessions for season-ticket holders.
The move will impact over 65s and fans are being asked turn their back on the Luton game in the 65th minute.
A group called Save Our Seniors said: “We are asking fans to turn their backs on the pitch on 65 minutes on Saturday in protest at THFC turning its back on some of its most loyal fans, the over 65s.”