Toffees told: Let Pienaar go

Earlier on Monday Toffees boss David Moyes had invoked the 14 day rule and insisted the South African international would not have to travel to join up with his country's African Cup of Nations squad until Wednesday.

An Everton spokesman said: "Steven will be going to London (on Monday), but not to Stamford Bridge. He will be flying out from Heathrow. We have been contacted by FIFA and told he has to be released by us ahead of the Chelsea match."

Moyes' view was that FIFA regulations did not make it clear whether players should be released 14 days ahead of the start of the competition, or 14 days ahead of a specific country's first match.

The tournament starts in Ghana on January 20, but South Africa's first match is not until January 23 against Angola.

Pienaar was expected to fly to Pretoria on Sunday, but trained with Everton at their Finch Farm complex on Monday. But by mid-afternoon, South Africa had formally asked FIFA to intervene, and Everton were contacted by the world's governing body and told their interpretation of the rule was wrong and that Pienaar should be released immediately.

Earlier in the day, Everton chief executive Keith Wyness released a statement which read: "The basis of club and country co-operation is crucial for all parties and that does involve give and take.

"Everyone here at Everton is looking forward to a proactive relationship with the South African FA grounded on a mutual respect for each other's aims and objectives.

"One of those aims for Everton is fielding the strongest possible team in a domestic cup semi-final and that includes having Steven available for selection under what we feel are the rules, as stipulated by FIFA.

"I would like to take this opportunity to wish Steven and the rest of the South African team all the very best for the tournament."