Tuesday, August 24, 2021
England’s clubs refuse
International match travel ban for almost 60 professionals
The corona pandemic brings with it new travel rules, especially quarantine orders. And it is precisely these that disrupt the clubs in the English Premier League massively – because they lack the professionals afterwards. The clubs “reluctantly” agree not to release players to UEFA and FIFA.
Due to the corona pandemic, the clubs of the English Premier League are refusing to release almost 60 players for upcoming international football matches. As the league said in a statement, the clubs have “reluctantly but unanimously decided” not to release players whose games will be played in countries “on the red list” in the next month.
According to the statement, the decision affects almost 60 professionals from 19 Premier League clubs who have traveled to 26 countries on the British government’s “Red List”. These are mainly located in South America and Africa. People entering from these countries have to go into hotel quarantine for ten days. This would not only “significantly impair the fitness of the players”, they would also be unavailable for two league games, the third round of the EFL Cup and a matchday of a UEFA competition.
The statement went on to say that “extensive discussions were held with the English FA and the government to find a solution.” But “no exemption has been granted due to persistent public health concerns regarding returnees from Red List countries.” The next qualifying matches for the World Cup in Qatar will take place from September 2nd to 10th.
“The Premier League clubs have always supported the desire of their players to represent their country – this is a matter of pride for everyone involved,” said managing director Richard Masters. Under these circumstances, however, it is unreasonable to release players. Most recently, the Egyptian association EFA announced that Liverpool FC, coached by Jürgen Klopp, did not want to release its star striker Mohamed Salah for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers for the Egyptian national team.
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