Bayer Leverkusen coach Sami Hyypia has left Sidney Sam out of the squad for Saturday's Bundesliga match against Schalke with the striker set to move to Gelsenkirchen this summer.
"I decided not to pick Sid because Schalke is a direct rival (for the Champions League). It's nothing to do with his performance," said Hyypia, recalling a rule from his time spent in the English Premier League with Liverpool.
"In England, there is a rule where you don't select a player to face his future club. It's important because it also serves to protect the player," added the Finn.
Last month Sam, 26, signed a four-year contract with Schalke, whom he will join at the end of the current season.
Meanwhile, Schalke will still be without captain Benedikt Howedes and playmaker Julian Draxler at the BayArena this weekend with both players having just returned to training following injury.
