The Ghanian FA has said it would be ‘unreasonable’ to force the player to take part in the match, coming just two days after the Champions League final against Manchester United.

Should Chelsea win that match in Moscow then a victory parade is planned the following day.

Ghana also face Libya in a crucial World Cup qualifier just a week after the clash with Pim Verbeek’s side.

Vice President of the Ghana Football Association, Fred Pappoe told Ghanafa.org: “We have long anticipated this issue so we made contingency plans to give Essien the opportunity to fully concentrate on the Champions League final.

“It would be unreasonable for us to expect him to play in Moscow and travel on a very long journey to Sydney.

“We want Essien to be fully fit when the World Cup qualifiers start so we have left him out and this can also offer the opportunity to another player to show the coach what he can do.”

The FFA has a watertight agreement which stresses Ghana must put out their strongest possible side for the fixture.