West Ham United defender Tal Ben Haim wants to be excused from Israel's upcoming international.
The Daily Mail says Ben Haim has told Israel coach Luis Fernandez that he may be forced to miss their Euro 2012 qualifier against Croatia next weekend due to his newly born son's circumcision.
Both teams have four points from two games before meeting in Tel Aviv, but Ben Haim's wife Michal gave birth to their second son in a London hospital yesterday.
According to Jewish tradition, baby boys are circumcised on the eighth day after birth.
Ben Haim insists he wants to be present at the ceremony in London next Friday but the 28-year-old will consult rabbis to see if the circumcision can be postponed.
The Israel FA have ordered Ben Haim to report for training on Monday, with a spokesperson remarking: "We hope to work out a way that he will be able to play."
