Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at 7:45 PM• Dominic Mostert

The Premier League clubs have unanimously decided not to send players to countries with a red color code for the upcoming international match period. This prevents the clubs from having to quarantine for ten days after returning to the United Kingdom. The decision has implications for Liverpool players Mohamed Salah, Alisson Becker, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino, among others.

In total, it concerns almost 60 players from 19 different clubs, who would travel to 26 different countries with a red color code. The Premier League says it will take the decision “reluctantly, but unanimously”. Salah will not be able to participate in Egypt’s World Cup qualifier against Angola on Thursday, September 2. Liverpool do want to give the attacker the opportunity to participate in the World Cup qualifier in and against Gabon on Sunday 5 September, because Gabon does not have a red color code on the country list used by the United Kingdom government.

Earlier this month, Brazilian national coach Tite put together his 25-man squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Argentina, Chile and Peru. The selection included nine Premier League players, but all countries in which Brazil will play are on the red list. Alisson, Fabinho, Roberto Firmino (all Liverpool), Gabriel Jesus, Ederson (both Manchester City), Thiago Silva (Chelsea), Fred (Manchester United), Richarlison (Everton) and Raphinha (Leeds United) must therefore stay at home.

In the statement, the Premier League said that despite ongoing talks with the government, no exception from the quarantine obligation will be granted to footballers, forcing the clubs to feel compelled to keep the players at home. “A mandatory quarantine would not only affect the well-being and fitness of the players, but they would also be unavailable in two Premier League matches, one round of the European tournaments and the third round of the EFL Cup.”