Romelu Lukaku may face disciplinary punishment after Napoli alleged he rejected a summons to attend training.
The 32-year-old has been out of action for most of the season due to a hamstring injury and has yet to start a game.
Lukaku withdrew from Belgium’s international squads against the United States and Mexico last week, preferring to work on his fitness.
Napoli anticipated him returning to Italy, but the former Chelsea, Everton, and Manchester United player did not show up for training on Tuesday.
“Romelu Lukaku did not respond to today’s call-up for the resumption of training,” Napoli said in a statement.
“The club reserves the right to decide whether to take appropriate disciplinary action, as well as whether to continue the player’s activity with the squad on a permanent basis.”
Lukaku, Belgium’s all-time leading scorer with 89 goals, has only played 64 minutes of football this season.
He has 124 caps for his country and hopes to compete in a fourth World Cup this summer.
He stated on Monday that he “could never turn his back on Napoli” and wants nothing more than to “play and make my team win.”
Lukaku, whose father Roger passed away in September, said, “This season has been very challenging for me, between the injury and personal loss.
“I know there has been a lot of noise over the last few days about my situation, and it is important to clarify everything.
“The truth is that in recent weeks I didn’t feel well physically. I underwent some checks while I was in Belgium, and it turned out there was inflammation and fluid in the iliopsoas muscle, near the scar tissue.
“It is the second problem I have had since I returned at the beginning of November. I chose to do the rehabilitation in Belgium so that I could be ready when called upon.”
