Sevilla consider legal action and WITHDRAWAL from Spanish Super Cup final after Spain's FA say they will allow all of Barcelona's non-EU players to feature despite rule change
- Sevilla are considering legal action against the Spanish Football Federation
- The Federation (RFEF) have allowed all non-EU to play in Sunday's Super Cup
- Opponents Barcelona could now field more than the usual three non-EU players
- The La Liga champions are struggling to meet the criteria for the regular season
- The two clubs face off in Tangier, Morocco in the Spanish curtain raiser
Sevilla have announced that they are considering legal action against the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) after the body decided to allow all non-EU players to feature in the upcoming Super Cup final.
The La Liga club reacted angrily to news that will grant opponents Barcelona the opportunity to pick a host of otherwise ineligible stars in their squad - and also suggested they may withdraw from the match.
Spanish domestic competition rules currently dictate that only three non-EU players can be picked by clubs as part of any match-day group.
La Liga club Sevilla could mount a legal challenge against the Spanish Football Federation
They are also considering withdrawing from the Spanish Super Cup over a decision to loosen restrictions on non-EU players
That would have meant tough decisions for Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde over the likes of Philippe Coutinho and new signings Arturo Vidal (Chile), Malcom and Arthur Melo (both Brazil).
And with the two clubs due to meet on Sunday in Tangier, Morocco, in the Spanish season curtain raiser, Sevilla slammed the 'surprising' decision on their social media accounts.
'Sevilla FC are surprised by the RFEF's statement 24 hours before the Super Cup,' they wrote.
'It has stated that as many non-EU players as desired can be registered, despite the fact that 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 of an improper line-up.'
Brazil international Philippe Coutinho is just one of Barcelona's many non-EU players
They also signed winger Malcom (pictured), Arturo Vidal and Arthur Melo this summer
Following the summer signings of Vidal, Malcom and Arthur, Barcelona's work-around plan is for Coutinho to eventually switch to Portuguese registration, taking him out of the non-EU category.
Coutinho’s wife, Aine, is Portuguese and the player is able to register as a Portuguese citizen after three years of marriage.
It is the same method of nationality change that Luis Suarez undertook in 2014, shortly after joining the club.
Suarez is married to an Italian, Sofia Balbi, and the Uruguayan was able to get Italian citizenship and free up a non-EU space in Barca’s squad to help comply with the stringent rules.
Most watched Sport videos
- England manager Sarina Wiegman slams coach-player relationships
- YouTuber buys Marcus Rashford's wrecked £700k Rolls-Royce
- Travis and Jason Kelce CLASH over who would win a drinking contest
- Heartwarming moment NY Red Bulls players give their coats to mascots
- New York Jets star Sauce Gardner claims Jewish people 'run the world'
- Gareth Southgate comments on design change of new England shirt
- Fake clip claiming to show Swift and Kelce falling off a swing
- Barstool Sports chief vows to double money for family of slain officer
- Ohtani says he never bet on sports, that interpreter 'stole and lied'
- Jason and Travis Kelce bicker: 'We're in the same weight class!'
- Steph Houghton trains with England team mates ahead of World Cup
- Shocking moment footy star strikes rival during heated contest