LONDON, 11 (dpa / EP)
Premier League clubs will be able to line up their Brazilian players this weekend after the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), along with other South American federations, withdrew their demands that FIFA enforce the rules related to their non-appearance in international matches.
The British news agency PA assures that Brazil and Chile, along with Paraguay and Mexico, agreed to waive the rule that prevents players from playing for five days in their leagues if they do not appear for international service, after extensive talks between the FIFA and the respective federations.
Premier League clubs made a collective decision not to release players if they traveled to ‘red list’ countries as they would face 10 days of quarantine upon return. This Friday they still did not know if they could present some of their most important players in the games of the weekend.
Manchester United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who did not know if he could count on Brazilian Fred in Saturday’s game against Newcastle, described the situation as a “farce” and that it makes “lose, lose, lose everyone: national teams, players and clubs “.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, who could have been without Gabriel Jesus and goalkeeper Ederson for their Leicester clash, and Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, who was about to lose Thiago Silva to Aston Villa, were made echo of Solskjaer’s sentiments.
Guardiola described the situation as “crazy” and Tuchel said it “doesn’t make sense.” “Does it make sense for Brazil? No. Does it make sense for us? No,” he said.
Liverpool could have been without Alisson and Fabinho against Leeds, who faced the loss of Raphinha. However, Everton hoped to line up Richarlison because the Brazilian federation had not specifically complained about his absence.
Paraguay and Mexico previously withdrew similar complaints, releasing Wolves forward Raúl Jiménez and Newcastle midfielder Miguel Almirón respectively.
The English Football Federation (FA) and the Premier League are already working closely with FIFA to find a solution with the UK government on the ‘red list’ quarantine restrictions in anticipation of a similar situation in the October international window.
Ironically, the Argentine players who traveled to the suspended game between Brazil and Argentina will not be able to play; Emiliano Martínez and Emiliano Buendía, from Aston Villa, and Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso, from Tottenham, are obliged to quarantine in Croatia.