Chelsea News, citing Belgian broadcaster Sporza, reported that the Chelsea midfielder is not in Mark van Bommel’s 23-man matchday squad for the game against Turkey. Under UEFA’s Nations League rules, a player is banned for the next competition match after two yellow cards in the league phase.
It is a straightforward disciplinary ruling, but not a trivial one. Belgium are trying to finish in the top two of League A Group 1, and Chelsea News reported that Italy, the team directly above them, are still to come on Sunday in Brussels. Lavia misses one match, not both, which narrows Belgium’s options in Turkey without ruling him out for the more direct scrap in the group.
Belgium are also without Romelu Lukaku for the Turkey game after he stayed behind with what was described as a minor hip issue. One suspension can be absorbed; a suspension and an injury start to change the selection problem.
For Chelsea, the detail will not be unwelcome. Chelsea News described the squad as short in midfield, so Lavia being limited to one international appearance instead of two is at least a small reduction in workload during the break.
His last Belgium outing still offered a reminder of his influence. Against France, he set up Dodi Lukebakio’s opening goal with a pass through the defence before Belgium went on to lose 4-1. The assist survives the result; the suspension now shapes the week.
Isla Camilleri 
Gabriel Fenech 
Marcus Azzopardi 
Dua Mifsud