The Premier League have announced that its clubs will NOT release players for September internationals being played in red-list countries.
The 20 top-flight clubs unanimously decided not to release players and have been strongly supported by the governing body.
It will apply to nearly 60 players from 19 Premier League clubs, including Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and Wolves forward Raul Jimenez.
It comes following clubs attempts to lobby Government to allow their stars to not have to quarantine upon their respective returns.
In what will no doubt be a major club versus country row, Premier League clubs say they “reluctantly but unanimously" acted.
A Premier League statement on Tuesday night said: “This follows FIFA’s current position not to extend its temporary release exception for players required to quarantine on their return from international duty.
“Extensive discussions have taken place with both The FA and the Government to find a solution, but due to ongoing public health concerns relating to incoming travellers from red-list countries, no exemption has been granted.
“If required to quarantine on return from red list countries, not only would players’ welfare and fitness be significantly impacted, but they would also be unavailable to prepare for and play in two Premier League match rounds, a UEFA club competition matchday and the third round of the EFL Cup.
“This period takes into consideration 10 days of hotel quarantine on return to England but does not include any additional time that would be required for players to regain match fitness."
No Internationals for players from red list
posted on 25/8/21
Totally support this. Apart from anything else, how many times have players come back to England having contracted Covid-19 when playing abroad.
posted on 25/8/21
This is heading towards a showdown between PL and FIFA, but totally support the PL on this. 10 months overdue, tbh
posted on 25/8/21
Smacks of shutting the stable doors after the whores have bolted.
posted on 25/8/21
comment by TheBlackCountry (U22512)
posted 23 minutes ago
Smacks of shutting the stable doors after the whores have bolted.
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Better late than never mate. Lessons have been learned.
posted on 25/8/21
Must put into question the African Cup of Nations if this goes on
posted on 25/8/21
comment by Spangles (U17289)
posted 48 minutes ago
Must put into question the African Cup of Nations if this goes on
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I'm sure it will but it won't affect either Boly or Saiss as neither Ivory Coast nor Morocco are on the red list (at the moment)
posted on 26/8/21
It is strange how Covid has not seemed to impact Africa too much. Not sure i understand why. Young population? Just not reported much as folks die young anyway?
Anyway, I digress, long long overdue this ban.
posted on 26/8/21
comment by Cinciwolf----Wolves poster of the millennium (U11551)
posted 58 seconds ago
It is strange how Covid has not seemed to impact Africa too much. Not sure i understand why. Young population? Just not reported much as folks die young anyway?
Anyway, I digress, long long overdue this ban.
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It’s impacted South Africa very hard, even to the extent they have their own variant. However, the SA variant is unusual in that it gets it the neighbouring countries borders and stops. 😂
posted on 26/8/21
Yeah i suspect it is more prevalent than what is known
posted on 26/8/21
Difficult to know for sure. Personally I don't think so.