The Guardian (USA)

Premier League clubs will not release players for matches on UK’s red list

- Andy Hunter

Premier League clubs have united in defiance of Fifa and refused to release players for internatio­nal duty in countries on the UK’s red list.

The escalating row over quarantine restrictio­ns, and the lack of exemptions for players returning from red-zone countries, led to Premier League clubs “reluctantl­y but unanimousl­y” deciding to take action at a meeting on Tuesday. The Premier League, which has backed the clubs’ stance, has also registered its concern at Fifa’s decision to allow Conmebol teams to play three fixtures in the next two internatio­nal breaks.

On Monday the Egypt FA revealed it had received a letter from Liverpool explaining why Mohamed Salah would not be released for the World Cup qualifier against Angola in Cairo next week. Liverpool have also informed the Brazilian FA that Alisson, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino would not be released for their World Cup qualifiers against Chile, Argentina and Peru as they, and Salah, would need to quarantine for 10 days on their return. Manchester City had adopted the same stance with Ederson and Gabriel Jesus.

Nearly 60 players from 19 Premier League clubs were due to travel to 26 red-zone countries in the September internatio­nal window.

In a statement the Premier League confirmed the decision “follows Fifa’s current position not to extend its temporary release exception for players required to quarantine on their return from internatio­nal duty”, adding: “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 match-day 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.”

The Premier League chief executive, Richard Masters, said: “Premier League clubs have always supported their players’ desires to represent their countries – this is a matter of pride for all concerned. However, clubs have reluctantl­y but rightly come to the conclusion that it would be entirely unreasonab­le to release players under these new circumstan­ces. We understand the challenges that exist in

the internatio­nal match calendar and remain open to workable solutions.”

Clubs also discussed their “dissatisfa­ction” with Fifa’s decision to extend Conmebol’s internatio­nal window in September and October from nine to 11 days. “This places additional internatio­nal obligation­s on players from that region, to the detriment of their availabili­ty to represent their clubs,” the

Premier League statement read. “Fifa was urged to work with all stakeholde­rs to ensure an agreeable conclusion can be reached on the issue.”

 ?? Photograph: James Williamson/AMA/Getty Images ?? Ederson is one of the players who will not be released for internatio­nal duty in a country on the UK’s red list.
Photograph: James Williamson/AMA/Getty Images Ederson is one of the players who will not be released for internatio­nal duty in a country on the UK’s red list.

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