Rivaldo cleared to play Real Madrid

Latest news from FIFA indicates that Barcelona will be able to count on Rivaldo for this weekend's big clash at Real Madrid.

After Barca president Joan Gaspart had approached FIFA about allowing the Brazilian to play - and so delaying his international commitments by one day - the governing body ruled in the club's favour.

In a statement, FIFA announced: "The Commission concluded that it would be unjust to prevail on clubs of the services of some of their better players, as when their calendar was established they could not have anticipated this scene."

"We will ask for clubs to guarantee that their players put themselves immediately to the disposition of the national teams after they have disputed the league games of this weekend."

Rivaldo will jet out of Spain immediately after the game for South America where he will join Brazilian teammates for their World Cup qualifier against Bolivia.