Brazil's football federation, CBF have threatened to strip Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa of his citizenship for choosing to play for the Spanish national team.
The La Liga top scorer has had few opportunities to get into the Brazil squad and was wooed by the current World and European champions. Costa has admitted he feels "valued" in Spain.
This has angered Brazil's football chiefs who recognise that Brazil's striking department is not its strongest suit, heading into next year's World Cup on home soil.
The CBF's legal department has revealed that it will get in contact with Brazil's justice ministry to look into the possibility of revoking Costa's Brazilian citizenship.
The federations legal director, Carlos Eugenio Lopes said: "I have been authorized to make a request to the justice ministry to have Diego Costa lose the Brazilian citizenship that he rejected."
He also accused the striker of swapping national teams for financial reasons.
Costa is not the first Brazilian to play for another national team. Former Barcelona, Chelsea and FC Porto playmaker Deco and Real Madrid defender Pepe both switched to Portugal to little fanfare.
But Brazil are not well stocked up front. Fluminense striker Fred was the starting forward at the Confederations Cup with ex-Everton man Jo and the out-of-form Alexandre Pato providing competition.
