The prospect of Hernandez, who would be one of three players Mexico are allowed to select aged over 23 - he turns 24 on June 1 - playing in the Olympics would anger his Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.

Sir Alex's team begin their Premier League campaign just after the Olympics finish this summer, and Sir Alex will want his best players, including Hernandez, fit and ready for this.

But Hernandez could be part of the Mexico side who may play at Old Trafford – one of the Olympic football tournament venues and Manchester United's home ground – according to his Olympic team manager Luis Fernando Tena.

"I still haven't gotten into detail about those above-age players," said Tena, before admitting that Chicharito - Hernandez's nickname - was "a natural candidate".

"There are four months from here to then, where I will analyse it.

"Everyone thinks of him, obviously – he plays in England.

"We can't say if he is going to be that player.

"He's a great candidate.

"Let's wait and analyse it."

Mexico have just won the North American qualifying tournament, beating Honduras in the final this week, confirming their status as a dark horse for glory this summer.

Hernandez was just one of the country's talented players who were not in the United States for the Olympic qualifiers. 

The others being Carlos Vela, Giovani dos Santos and Jonathan dos Santos.


These three, as well as starlet Erick Torres who did play in the United States tournament, are all either 23 or under.

Players such as Deportivo La Coruna's Andrés Guardado and veteran defender Rafael Marquez will all be in the frame, alongside Hernandez, as over age players for London 2012.

That Mexico are taking this summer's Games seriously was emphasised last year when they took a team comprised of mainly players under the age of 23 to the Copa America.

Though they exited at the group stage, it gave the younger members of the squad crucial tournament experience ahead of the Olympics.

Coach Tena also gained valuable experience, managing the team for the tournament instead of the senior coach José Manuel de la Torre.

Sir Alex may be powerless to stop Hernandez playing at the Games, as FIFA last week decided at its Executive Committee meeting in Zurich that clubs had "a duty to release players exists on the basis of a special decision by the FIFA Executive Committee".

This is despite the fact the Olympics are not part of the international match calendar, and sets FIFA up for a new potential collision course with European teams, whom their relationship with has soured in recent months.

Prior to the Beijing 2008 Games, Barcelona won a case at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to prevent Leo Messi playing, who has since won two World Player of the Year awards, competing for Argentina.

However, Messi was subsequently allowed to participate in the Games and helped Argentina win the gold medal.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
April 2012: Exclusive - ECA "astonished" at FIFA's new London 2012 player release rule
April 2012: Top clubs shocked as new FIFA ruling says clubs must release players for London 2012
April 2012: Ponce pounces to earn Mexico CONCACAF football success
March 2012: Mexico and Honduras book their places at London 2012
November 2011: Leave my kids alone, Sir Alex Ferguson warns Team GB