AS Roma want to remove Cafu and Emerson from Brazil squad

AS Roma have applied to FIFA to have Emerson and Cafu withdrawn from the Brazil squad to play the US in a friendly later this week.

Real Madrid managed to hold back Rivaldo and Roberto Carlos from the Brazil squad and Roma - who won 2-0 at Vicenza yesterday to keep a 6 point lead over Juventus in Serie A - want their Brazilian stars to miss the friendly as well.

Real want their stars to face FC Barcelona in the biggest match of the Spanish Liga season so far next weekend while Roma host Internazionale and want their Brazilian stars available for that match. Cafu is the likely captain of the Brazil team for the match.

Roma have also sent veteran striker Gabriel Batistuta for knee scans after he fell badly at the end of the first half yesterday and the club are awaiting the results of medical tests. The 32 year old has long term knee problems and may have damaged knee ligaments in the fall yesterday. Argentina left the star striker out of the squad to face Italy on Wednesday night in a friendly due to his fitness problems.