Atletico Madrid will be allowed to play Thibaut Courtois against Chelsea in Champions League semi-final

Thibaut Courtois

After reports surfaced yesterday concerning Ateletico Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois’ eligibility to play against his parent club Chelsea, UEFA has come on record and cleared the air.

According to UEFA’s statement on integrity of competitions, Courtois will be allowed to play his parent club without any restrictions. No club can influence another club over which players are allowed to play.

It states: “Both the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations contain clear provisions which strictly forbid any club to exert, or attempt to exert, any influence whatsoever over the players that another club may (or may not) field in a match.”

“It follows that any provision in a private contract between clubs which might function in such a way as to influence who a club fields in a match is null, void and unenforceable so far as UEFA is concerned.”

It goes on to say that any such provision in a contract between two clubs is a violation of the rules and against UEFA Disciplinary Regulations.

Atletico Madrid drew Chelsea in the Champions League draw held earlier today and the first leg will be on 22/23 April at the Vicente Calderón Stadium.

Chelsea chief exec Gourlay: 'It's quite simple, Courtois can play against Chelsea. That was never in doubt.'

— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) April 11, 2014