AS is reporting that Brazil’s soccer federation (CBF) sent a letter on Monday night to its Spanish counterpart warning that while Diego Costa has yet to play anofficial match for Brazil, the decision has already been made to call the Atletico Madrid striker up for the 2014 World Cup host’s two friendlies in November. However, Spain has said it alsoplans to call Costa up for its November games, which means the conflict between the two federations may end up being resolved by FIFA.
The CBF letter warns the Spanish federation thatLuiz Felipe Scolari, Brazil’s coach, has not ruled out using Costa at the World Cup, adding that Brazil is his birth country and pointing out that his eligibility to play forSpain only comes about because he has lived in the country and not because he has Spanish blood.
Nevertheless, if Vicente Del Bosque, Spain’s coach, calls up Costa, whobecame a Spanish citizen earlier this month, in November, the CBF will be forced to leave the matter to FIFA’s Players’ Status Committee to make a decision. However, if either country isdissatisfied with the outcome, it could be appealed to FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber with the possibility that final decision is delayed until after next summer’s World Cup, in whichcase the forward would be unable to play for either country.