The South Africa Football Association (SAFA) has asked world soccer governing body, FIFA, to sanction English Premier League side Everton, following the tug-of-war over Bafana Bafana midfielder Steven Pienaar.

On Monday, FIFA instructed Everton to release the player for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana, starting 20 January, after the team attempted to delay his departure.

Apparently the delay was because manager David Moyes had planned to use the player for Tuesday night's Carling Cup semifinal first leg at Chelsea, in violation of FIFA's 14-day rule.

Moyes had argued that the rules did not make it clear whether players should be released 14 days ahead of the start of the competition (20 January), or 14 days ahead of South Africa's first match (23 January).

Pienaar was expected to join the South African squad in Durban later Tuesday.