Sevilla have threatened to pull out of Sunday night’s Spanish Super Cup clash with Barcelona if Ernesto Valverde names more than three non-European Union players in his squad.
On Saturday, the Spanish football federation clarified that, unlike in La Liga, there were no restrictions on non-EU players for the Spanish Super Cup because the game was considered “not professional”.
Managers are allowed to name a maximum of three non-EU players in each La Liga matchday squad and Sevilla were of the opinion that the same rule applied for all competitions in Spain.
And should Valverde name what Sevilla call “an improper line-up” on Sunday night, Los Hispalenses have threatened to pull out of the game which is played out annually between the La Liga champions and Copa del Rey winners. Barcelona won both competitions last season so have been pitted against last season’s cup runners-up this weekend.
A Sevilla club statement read: “Sevilla FC is surprised by the RFEF [Spanish football federation]’s statement 24 hours before the Super Cup.
“It has stated that as many non-EU players as desired can be registered. In their last notice for the 18-19 season, only three were due to be permitted, without exception.
“The club’s legal department is studying the matter and should FC Barcelona submit a team with more than three non-EU players, it would present possible ground for withdrawal on account an improper line-up.”
It was reported earlier this week that Barcelona were in the process of acquiring a Portuguese passport for midfielder Philippe Coutinho in order to free up a third non-EU playing spot in their squad and that process is believed to have been completed.
Brazil’s Coutinho is eligible for a Portuguese passport through his wife, Aine, and Valverde is eager for his new No. 7 to follow the likes of Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi, both of whom already have EU citizenship.
