Premier League 2021/22: Clubs agree to play “banned” South and Central American players this weekend- Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Leeds United were the teams that would have been affected by the decision take by FIFA as players not released for an international window can be banned for five days after the window ends under the Fifa regulations. Players traveling to red list countries would have had to miss some games on their return because of the 10-day isolation period needed under UK rules since the Covid-19 outbreak.
But, according to The Sun, Premier League clubs have agreed that they will not make any charges if their opponents allow those players that should be banned.
It comes after Premier League chief executive Richard Masters wrote to clubs and suggested a resolution is in sight on Wednesday.
He said four national associations complained to FIFA and added that the top flight has been locked in talks with both the governing body, the government, and the Football Association.
Premier League 2021/22: Clubs agree to play “banned” South and Central American players this weekend
Premier League: Which players would have been affected?
Chelsea defender Thiago Silva, Manchester United midfielder Fred will also not be allowed to play in their teams’ opening Champions League games against Zenit St Petersburg and Young Boys next Tuesday.
Furthermore, the club that is affected the most by this is Liverpool as three players- Roberto Firmino, Fabinho, and Alisson will not be available this weekend. Defending champions Manchester City pair Ederson and Gabriel Jesus; and Leeds forward Raphinha, who had been called into the Brazil squad for the first time will also miss the game this weekend.
📺 Jurgen Klopp on the football calendar:
“There is no other physical sport in the world with such a relentless calendar.” 🔴 pic.twitter.com/8SVpDFPkuq
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) September 10, 2021
Premier League: Jurgen Klopp’s bold statement
Asked about the availability of the trio at his pre-match press conference, Klopp said: ‘No. Bobby will not be available because of an injury. It’s a really difficult situation. it’s really tricky for all the clubs and players especially. The players wanted to play, the clubs wanted to let the players go.
‘We couldn’t do that but now it looks like the real punishment is for the players and of course the clubs as well. That’s really not ok. We didn’t decide the players have to go. The world is in a pandemic still. We have to be on top of that until the end of the pandemic. The football players have got very often exemptions and that didn’t often lead to spreads in cities.
‘Because of all the things we do, we get tested three times a week. There was no solution and what FIFA and CONMEBOL did, they decided that we put in another matchday. They played this morning (Friday) at 1.30am. Brazil won all three games but there are still complaints.
‘Before the last international break I had a meeting with Arsene Wenger and they showed me the plans for the World Cup and in that moment I got the message there is no exemption from the government from the players and we agreed the players cannot go.
‘This is the situation and we don’t know who we can line up at the weekend. Next time there could be 10-15 other countries on the red list, it’s possible there will be the same problem with all the players and we will get the punishment for something we’re not influential in.’
Premier League: Clubs agree to play “banned” South and Central American players this weekend
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