Wires News
English Premier League clubs will not release players for international matches played in so-called “red-list” countries next month.
The League announced on Tuesday a blanket for the September fixtures, amid frustration that players who travelled to red-list countries would have to follow coronavirus quarantine regulations upon their return, ruling them out of several of their club’s matches.
The Egyptian Football Association had said on Monday that Liverpool would not release Mohamed Salah for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Angola and Gabon due to the quarantine rules.
It was also reported that Liverpool would refuse to release Fabinho, Roberto Firmino and Alisson Becker for Brazil’s three upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Both Egypt and Brazil are on the UK government’s red list, with “mandatory isolation for 10 days” for travellers returning from those countries.
With tension mounting over the club versus country issue, the Premier League took the matter into its own hands.
Like the Liverpool trio, Manchester City stars Ederson and Gabriel Jesus will now not be allowed to play for Brazil.
Leeds’ Raphinha, Fred of Manchester United, Everton striker Richarlison and Chelsea’s Thiago Silva were also among the Brazil players affected.
Argentina is on the red-list, so Tottenham’s Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso, as well as Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez and Emiliano Buendia, will be unable to travel.
Newcastle’s Miguel Almiron would have been forced into quarantine if he had played with Paraguay.
“Premier League clubs have today reluctantly but unanimously decided not to release players for international matches played in red-list countries next month,” the Premier League said in a statement on their website.
