Sunday’s Spanish Super Cup final may not go ahead after Sevilla threatened to pull out of the match if Barcelona field more than three non-EU players.
The Spanish football federation had placed no restrictions on the use of players from outside the EU for the fixture, which is different to La Liga, in which teams are only allowed to include three per squad.
The Blaugrana’s trio of new signings: Malcom, Arturo Vidal and Arthur – three non-EU players – are likely to feature in the final, changed to a single match rather than a two-legged affair as in previous years, while defender Marlon has also travelled to Tangier, Morocco.
Playmaker Philippe Coutinho is a non-EU star, too, however, he has reportedly acquired a passport through his wife this summer.
Given that all these names could play, that has led to Sevilla threatening to withdraw from the showpiece.
The Andalusia club issued a statement, saying: “Sevilla FC is surprised by the RFEF’s announcement 24 hours before the Super Cup.
“It has said that as many non-EU players as desired can be registered. In their last statement for the 2018/2019 season, only three were due to be allowed, without exception.
“The club’s legal department is studying the matter and should FC Barcelona line up with more than three non-EU players, it would present possible ground for withdrawal due to an improper line-up.”
