LONDON, Aug 25: The decision of the Premier League clubs was clear: No players will be released to play for countries on England’s “red list.”
The announcement Tuesday by the world’s richest league highlighted the escalating backlash FIFA is facing across soccer over its decision to overlook coronavirus-related quarantine requirements and concerns of clubs and leagues to squeeze in more World Cup qualifiers in the coming weeks.
The Spanish league also said it would support any of its clubs that did not want to release players for international duty with South American teams.
“La Liga considers that the international match calendar can not and should not be modified in this way, especially given that viable alternatives exist,” said the Spanish league, which has already seen 25 players from 13 clubs named in squads by South American nations.
Unlike for other international fixtures during the pandemic, FIFA is no longer allowing exemptions for players to opt out of the trips if they are forced to quarantine on their return to countries to resume club duties.
Clubs face FIFA sanctions if they refuse to release players but Liverpool has already told Egypt that Mohamed Salah won’t be released for next week’s games because he would face a mandatory 10-day hotel quarantine on returning to England.
Premier League clubs also backed Liverpool’s position, forming a unified front Tuesday to “reluctantly but unanimously” block almost 60 players from 19 clubs going to 26 countries on England’s red list that features all 10 South American countries.
Brazil will be particularly impacted without goalkeepers Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Manchester City), captain Thiago Silva (Chelsea), midfielders Fred (Manchester United), Fabinho (Liverpool), and forwards Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City) and Richarlison (Everton).
“Clubs have reluctantly but rightly come to the conclusion that it would be entirely unreasonable to release players under these new circumstances,” Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said.
“Quarantine requirements mean that players’ welfare and fitness will be significantly impacted. We understand the challenges that exist in the international match calendar and remain open to workable solutions,” Masters added. (AP)
