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

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

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

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

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.

HOW DOES IT WORK? 

NON-EU PLAYERS RULE 

According to the rules in La Liga, a club playing in the top division is not allowed to recruit more than three non-EU players. The same figure is 2 for the second division football clubs (LigaAdelate). The clubs in the Segunda Division B are not allowed to recruit any non-EU player. 

In any given matchday squad, clubs are permitted to name three non-EU players and any extra must be kept on the sidelines. 

CITIZENSHIP FOR FOREIGN PLAYERS 

As per La Liga rules, the players can claim citizenship of Spain from their native country.

A non-European player can apply for Spanish citizenship. However, he must play for five years in Spain in order to be eligible for approved citizenship.

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