BERLIN (AP):

DIEGO AND Rafinha were refused permission from their Bundesliga clubs to play at the Olympics despite their nominations by Brazil on Monday.

Both Werder Bremen, with Diego an influential midfielder, and Schalke, with defender Rafinha, reiterated month-old stances about how they won't release players, who would miss two league matches while at the Beijing Games.

Schalke would also have to cope without Rafinha, a regular, as they prepare for Champions League qualifying matches during the August 8-24 Olympics.

Bremen said they don't expect trouble with FIFA.

"It's clear that if we don't release Diego, we won't face any sanctions," Bremen general manager Klaus Allofs said.

Permission

Across the Bundesliga, clubs have talked regulars out of playing or withheld a release for Beijing. Reserves, however, have usually gotten permission.

Bayern Munich refused to let starters Martin Demichelis of Argentina and Lucio of Brazil go to Beijing, but allowed two bench players. One is an 18-year-old Brazilian, Breno, and the second is Jose Ernesto Sosa, who will join Argentina's training camp on July 14.

Bayern's own training camp started last week.

"Naturally it's not good to miss part of the preparations for the start of the Bundesliga season," Sosa said. "But, for us Argentines, it's unbelievably important to play for our country."