Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi says Richarlison will not play for the club again even though the Brazilian remains under contract and eligible for cup competitions.
Richarlison was omitted from Tottenham’s 25-man Premier League squad after seeking a move during the summer transfer window.
He has since approached FIFA about potentially terminating his contract.
De Zerbi said he repeatedly tried to persuade Richarlison to remain at Tottenham and even proposed extending his contract.
The manager said he could not continue “praying” for the striker to stay.
Richarlison responded publicly with a crying emoji before reposting De Zerbi’s comments with a one-word response:
“Why?”
The dispute could now move beyond the breakdown between player and manager.
Richarlison’s representatives are considering whether his exclusion from first-team football could provide grounds to seek termination of his contract through FIFA.
Brazilian reporting says his camp could argue that deliberately preventing him from playing amounts to an unjustified restriction on his ability to work.
There is no guarantee FIFA would accept that argument.
Richarlison remains contracted to Tottenham and continues to be paid by the club.
But De Zerbi has now made Tottenham’s sporting position explicit.
Richarlison is available to play.
The manager says he will not select him.
Sources
- Reuters – De Zerbi confirms Richarlison remains excluded from Tottenham plans
- talkSPORT – Richarlison FIFA contract situation and De Zerbi comments
- UOL – Potential FIFA dispute and Richarlison response
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