Manchester United have written to the FA to say Stuart Pearce cannot select any of their over-age players for the British Olympic squad apart from Ryan Giggs.
The club have ruled out GB coach Pearce picking Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes and Jonny Evans for the Olympic tournament as over-23 players.
According to a 2008 court ruling, clubs have the right to refuse to release players for the competition as it is not on the international calendar.
But United are only taking that position on their over-age players.
Tom Cleverley, Danny Welbeck, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling could be part of the Olympic squad if they are not picked for the England Euro 2012 squad.
Sir Alex Ferguson, who said yesterday that striker Javier Hernandez will not be part of the Mexico Olympic team, will not stand in the way of Giggs being part of the squad as the 38-year-old has never played in a major international tournament.
An FA spokesman refused to confirm whether they had been contacted by United.
But the prospect of a row, or even a legal battle with the FA, looks unlikely however, especially given United's acceptance that young players not involved in Euro 2012 plus Giggs can be selected.