MX23RW : Friday, January 10 16:18:41| >> :120:4326:4326:

Ron Gourlay: 'Thibaut Courtois can play against Chelsea'

Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay confirms that on-loan goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois can play for Atletico Madrid against his parent club.

Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay has revealed that goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is free to play for Atletico Madrid against his parent club in the Champions League semi-finals.

It had been reported earlier this week that Atletico would need to pay Chelsea a sizeable fee in order for Courtois to feature against them in the latter stages of the Champions League.

Before the two teams were drawn together in the last four, UEFA released a statement informing both clubs that any private agreement that had been negotiated regarding the selection of the Belgian stopper was "null, void and unenforceable".

While he refused to directly comment on UEFA's statement, Gourlay has confirmed that Atletico are free to select the 21-year-old over the two-legged tie.

Gourlay told Sky Sports News: "The loan was arranged back in the start of the season. He can play against Chelsea, that's never in doubt.

"Regarding the UEFA statement we'll evaluate that in due course. As far as we are concerned we will comply with loan rules. He can play in both ties against Chelsea if selected. That is fact."

Courtois signed for Chelsea in 2011 but he has spent the past three campaigns in Madrid.

ID:149263: cacheID:149263:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2504:
Written by
Darren Plant
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Thibaut Courtois of Belgium throws the ball during the International friendly match between Belgium and France at the King Baudouin Stadium on August 14, 2013
Read Next:
UEFA warn Chelsea over Courtois clause
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool19144147192846
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest20124429191040
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham207943027330
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2044123145-1416
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!