Sevilla Threaten To Quit Today’s Spanish Super Cup Against Barcelona

Sevilla Threaten To Quit Today’s Spanish Super Cup Against Barcelona
The 2018-19 Spanish Super cup is in danger of being boycotted and abandoned by Sevilla, who have threatened to withdraw from the match – that is expected to be played today – should their opponents, Barcelona, field what they deem “an improper lineup” made up of too many non-European Union players.

The limit for non-EU players for La Liga fixtures is three. The same limit was previously applied to — or, at least thought to have been — the Supercopa, which pits the previous season’s league and Copa del Rey winners against one another.
Since Barcelona won both trophies last season, Copa runners-up Sevilla are slated to face the Blaugrana in Tangier, Morocco.
But the Spanish football federation announced on Saturday that there were no restrictions on non-EU players as it classed the game as “not professional”.
However, Sevilla on Saturday released the following statement:

“Sevilla FC is surprised by the Spanish football federation’s statement 24 hours before the Supercopa.
“It has been 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 lineup.”

Barcelona are expected to have three non-EU players in their squad on Sunday: new signings Malcom, Arturo Vidal and Arthur. Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Uruguay’s Luis Suarez both have EU citizenship.
The problem appears to lie with Philippe Coutinho, who may still be listed as a non-EU player.