FIFA, world football's governing body, faces a dispute with three clubs over their refusal to release players to Gabon's London Olympics squad.

APGabon's team has been hit by the refusal of three clubs to release players

The development follows a 2008 case in the Court of Arbitration for Sport - which FIFA lost - in which the court ruled that clubs were not obliged to release players.

FIFA said it would "maintain a watching brief" after French outfits Lorient and Le Mans and Gabonese side US Bitam all said they were refusing to release a player.

A FIFA spokesman said: "The national federation are trying to come to an agreement with the clubs. We are aware of the situation and are maintaining a watching brief."

The players in question are goalkeeper Didier Ovono (Le Mans) and defenders Bruno Ecuele (Lorient) and Remy Ebanega (US Bitam).

Reports suggest Gabon are struggling with injuries after a player was taken to hospital on crutches during a 4-0 friendly win over North-East side Heaton Stannington FC, close to the Gabon training camp in Newcastle, at the weekend.