McCarthy in backing for Fellaini ban
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy today backed FIFA in the debate surrounding Marouane Fellaini's availability for Saturday's clash at Goodison by insisting the Everton midfielder should be banned, writes TIM NASH. Wolves boss Mick McCarthy today backed FIFA in the debate surrounding Marouane Fellaini's availability for Saturday's clash at Goodison by insisting the Everton midfielder should be banned, writes TIM NASH. Fellaini is facing a possible five-day ban by the world's governing body for missing Belgium's World Cup qualifier against Estonia tonight to have a wisdom tooth removed. Everton claim Fellaini had permission from national coach Dick Advocaat to miss the game. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
Fellaini is facing a possible five-day ban by the world's governing body for missing Belgium's World Cup qualifier against Estonia tonight to have a wisdom tooth removed.
Everton claim Fellaini had permission from national coach Dick Advocaat to miss the game.
Under FIFA rules, any nation can ban a player for up to five days after an international fixture "in the event that the player, for whatsoever reason, did not wish to or was unable to comply with the call-up".
McCarthy said: "FIFA are entitled to do it. I had it with George McCartney. He didn't go with Northern Ireland. He was injured and missed the game and was banned from the next match.
"That's the five-day rule. If they don't turn up and play, then the authorities are entitled to ban him."
Everton's head of PR Ian Ross said: "We were told the player had struck an agreement with the Belgian national manager which meant he would be omitted from Wednesday's game as he required minor surgery to remove a wisdom tooth. It would appear that the manager changed his mind."
