From The Observer:
'Alex Ferguson and Arsène Wenger are seething at Argentina and Brazil respectively for picking their players, but the managers' differences with the two federations are nothing compared with the club-versus-country row that has erupted between the South American nations and some of Europe's other leading clubs.
Argentina and Brazil have dropped key players, including their captains, from their World Cup qualifiers today after their clubs' refusal to release them for friendly fixtures on 18 August. AC Milan's on-loan striker Hernán Crespo and Inter Milan's Juan Sebastián Verón were recalled then omitted from the Argentina squad to travel to Peru after they missed a 2-1 victory in Japan, along with Valencia's Roberto Ayala.
Verón's absence has presented the opportunity for Nicolas Medina to take his place in the squad. Medina, released last week by Sunderland, made just one appearance on Wearside after his £3.5million move from Argentinos Juniors three years ago, having been on loan with Spanish second-division club Leganés last season. Every minute he played cost Sunderland £50,000 - but he is still rated by Marcelo Bielsa.
Milan trio Cafú, Kaká and Dida, plus Bayern Munich's Lucio and Zé Roberto, miss out on Brazil's match against Bolivia - they missed the 6-0 victory over Haiti. The Milan men will also miss the midweek friendly in Germany. The move has led to split reactions in Brazil, with Real Madrid striker Ronaldo publicly supporting the decision while team-mate Roberto Carlos said that the federations and clubs 'have to work together'.'