Ricardo Oliveria not to play for Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo:

Sao Paulo will not be able to use striker Ricardo Oliveira in the second leg of the Copa Libertadores final after failing to reach an agreement with Spain's Real Betis. The Spanish club said on its Web site on Thursday that the player must return after his loan contract with Sao Paulo ends August 10. In a letter signed by president Jose Leon Gomez, Betis said the player must be back in Spain on August 12. That's four days before Sao Paulo faces local rival International in the second leg of their home-and-away series in Latin America's most important club tournament. Real Betis said it could not risk a punishment by FIFA if it allowed Ricardo Oliveira to play after the end of his contract. Sao Paulo lost the first leg 2-1 on Wednesday at Morumbi stadium and needs to win the return match in Porto Alegre to keep alive its hopes for a second consecutive title. The striker was Sao Paulo's starter since arriving at the club six months ago. He was crucial in Sao Paulo's Libertadores semifinal win over Mexico's Chivas of Guadalajara on August 2, scoring a goal and setting up the other two. (AP)

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