Bayern Munich defender Dante and midfielder Luiz Gustavo will miss tomorrow’s German Cup final against Stuttgart after Brazil told the pair to report for training the same day.
Bayern, hoping to complete a Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup treble, accused Brazil of exerting “psychological pressure” on the duo.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) wanted Dante and Luiz Gustavo to be available 14 days before the Confederations Cup, as stipulated by the rules of FIFA.
The eight-team tournament starts on June 15.
“We were forced into this step,” Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told a news conference.
“We tried to find a solution with FIFA and the German FA – the situation is unpleasant for us.
“We had the impression some sort of psychological pressure was put on the players in that it would be the end of their international careers if they did not report on time.
“I find that absolutely unacceptable.”
“The German FA has made a mistake in its planning,” added Rummenigge, referring to the timing of the final in Berlin and its clash with the Confederations Cup training period.
“The calendar is overloaded. It would have been inhumane not to let them go and that is something we are not at Bayern.
“The Confederations Cup has a meaning in Brazil that we cannot imagine.”