Seedorf withdraws from Dutch Euro squad

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) -- Veteran AC Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf has pulled out of the Netherlands' squad for Euro 2008, criticizing coach Marco van Basten for not giving him room to play his natural game.

"Since my return to the national team, the right conditions have not been created to let me perform at my best and to effectively excel as the team member I always strive to be," said the 32-year-old Seedorf.

"We have seen from the past that some negative issues with the national team and players are recurring," he added.

Seedorf, who has scored 11 goals in 87 appearances for the Netherlands, called Van Basten to tell the coach of his decision.

"I was surprised. I had not expected it," said Van Basten, who last week named Seedorf as part of a preliminary squad of 30 players. "I told Clarence I respect him highly as a person and a footballer, but he is sticking by his decision."

When Van Basten he took over the Netherlands team after Euro 2004, he overlooked Seedorf for more than two years. The former Ajax star forced his way back into the team in late 2006 because of his displays in Serie A.

Seedorf is now fourth on the list of players with the most appearances for the Netherlands. However, with an abundance of midfield talent that includes Rafael van der Vaart and Wesley Sneijder, Van Basten rarely gave Seedorf the sort of freedom he is allowed with AC Milan.

Van Basten has had trouble with other players in the past, most notably Ruud van Nistelrooy and Mark van Bommel. Van Nistelrooy spent more than a year out of the Dutch team after Van Basten dropped him him for poor form at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Like Seedorf, the Real Madrid forward forced his way back into the national team with good club form. Van Bommel also fell out with Van Basten at the 2006 World Cup and has not played for the Netherlands since.

"I had always hoped that lessons would have been learned from past experiences, which caused great players to make some very difficult choices," Seedorf said. "I am naturally disappointed that this has not been the case.

"In no way do I want to bring tension into the team nor did I want to do anything that would have had a less than positive impact in helping the team excel during Euro 2008," Seedorf added.

"This is a painful choice for me, especially in respect of my teammates and fans who have stood by me, something I greatly appreciate."

Seedorf was part of the Dutch team that was split by tensions at Euro 96 between white players and those -- like Seedorf -- of Surinamese descent.

At club level, Seedorf has won the Champions League four times and is the only player to win the trophy with three different clubs -- Ajax, Real Madrid and twice with AC Milan.

Seedorf said he still hopes to play again for the Netherlands, though he conceded he may now have played his last European Championship match.

"I am fully aware that my decision to not attend Euro 2008 means that I could possibly renounce my last chance to play in this great championship, which is one of the reasons I deliberated so long and seriously," he said. Van Basten will be replaced by Bert van Marwijk after Euro 2008.

"I still hope that in the future I can once again proudly wear the Orange jersey, especially as the Dutch team prepares for what I hope will be a very successful campaign for the World Cup 2010 in South Africa," Seedorf added.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.