FIFA considers limiting Olympic soccer to U-21s

TELKI, Hungary (AP) -- FIFA president Sepp Blatter says that world football's executive committee would like only players under 21 years of age to compete in the Olympics.

Earlier reports said FIFA was looking to set the age limit at 20, but Blatter said the extra year would allow the best teams from the Under-20 World Cup to compete in the following year's Olympics.

Blatter told the Associated Press during a visit to Hungary Saturday, "If this (proposal) goes through, we will use the qualification in the Under-20 (World Cup) ... and then the best teams will play in the Olympics."

Blatter said FIFA's upcoming 59th Congress in the Bahamas would decide whether to go along with the executive committee's proposal or keep the current system for the Olympics, which is for players under 23 and also allows three older players per team.

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