The latest club versus country bust-up comes just days after Radebe was accused of "dishonesty" by South Africa coach Shakes Mashaba.

Mashaba refused to accept the word of both Leeds and Radebe that the 33-year-old centre-back was struggling with a knee injury and would miss the African Nations Cup tie with Burundi.

That was despite Radebe limping out of Elland Road on crutches after the 4-1 defeat to Arsenal, ruling him out of last Thursday's UEFA Cup match with Metalurg Zaporizhya and Sunday's Premiership clash at Aston Villa.

Against specialist advice, Radebe flew out at the weekend to South Africa where he met SAFA officials.

Radebe claimed he had not been informed by Leeds of his call-up to play for Bafana Bafana against Burundi in the African Cup of Nations.

South African FA chief operating officer Albert Mokoena said: "Lucas says he was not informed of the call-up by Leeds.

"He is committed and available for future Bafana matches," Mokoena added.

But a Leeds spokesman categorically denied SAFA's claim.

He said: "Lucas was aware of his international call-up. He was bemused by the fact he was named in a squad and then withdrawn by SAFA an hour later.

"In fact, all Lucas' travel arrangements to join the South African team were made through Leeds United."