Cafu, Kaka, Dida, Lucio and Ze Roberto have been punished by the Brazilian football federation (CBF) for not appearing in the August 18, 6-0 victory at Port-au-Prince.

The three AC Milan players Dida, Cafu, and Kaka and Bayern Munich's Lucio and Ze Roberto, who were not released by their clubs, will also not play in the friendly against Germany in Berlin next Wednesday.

Real Madrid star Ronaldo supported the decision saying that the CBF wanted to preserve the honour of those who wear Brazil's green and yellow colours.

However Real Madrid left back Roberto Carlos was not of the same opinion, saying: "The federations and the clubs have to work together." He added the five excluded players would have loved to be playing for Brazil.

Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira did not comment directly on the CBF's decision but did say it complicated things as Ronaldinho Gaucho, Juan and Gustavo Nery were all out injured.

"Obviously, in these circumstances and with everything that has happened, this game is going to be more complicated than the others," coach Carlos Alberto Parreira told reporters.

Brazil however remain optimistic over striker Ronaldinho's chances of being fit for Sunday's qualifier.

Ronaldinho missed Bar-celona's opening match of the Spanish league season at the weekend with an ankle injury and despite being rested from Tuesday's training session, team doctor Jose Luis Runco said the forward was improving quickly.

"He's going to continue receiving treatment and we hope he will be able to train on Thursday," Runco said.

"He's got a good chance of playing."

Elsewhere, injury problems continued to mount for the world champions.

Juan was reported as doubtful while Nery, reserve to Roberto Carlos at left-back, pulled out of the squad with a broken wrist.

Runco said that Bayer Leverkusen defender Juan, who is due to arrive later this week, had suffered a head injury during a Bundesliga match at the weekend.

Juan had won a place in the centre of the defence with his performances at the Copa America in Peru in July, where Brazil won the title.

Uncapped Leandro from Brazilian champions Cruzeiro was on Tuesday named as the replacement for Nery, who plays for German champions Werder Bremen.

Brazil have already lost striker Luis Fabiano and midfielder Diego through injury.

Brazil lead the South American World Cup qualifying group with 13 points from seven games. Bolivia, who have conceeded 11 goals on their last two visits to Brazil, are bottom with six.

SQUAD
Keepers: Fabio (Vasco da Gama), Julio Cesar (Flamengo)
Defenders: Belletti (Barcelona/SPA), Leandro (Cruzeiro), Maicon (Monaco/FRA), Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid/SPA)
Midfielders: Chris (Cruzeiro), Edmilson (Barcelona/SPA), Juan (Bayer Leverkusen/GER), Luizao (Benfica/POR), Roque Junior (Bayer Leverkusen/GER), Alex (Fenerbahce/TUR), Edu and Gilberto Silva (Arsenal/ENG), Julio Batista (Seville/SPA), Juninho Pernambucano (Lyon/FRA), Renato (Seville/SPA)
Strikers: Nilmar (Internacional), Robinho (Santos), Ronaldo (Real Madrid/SPA), Ronaldinho Gaucho (Barcelona/SPA).