Brazil wants to prevent a total of eight players from being active in the Premier League next weekend, the knows, among others BBC to report on Wednesday. The Brazilian Football Association has activated a special FIFA rule that prevents the eight from playing in a club for five days, between September 10 and 14. In this case, it concerns Brazilians who are under contract with Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United and Leeds United.
The move from Brazil is in response to the Premier League clubs’ decision in August not to send players to countries with a red color code for the now ended international match. 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, Firmino (all Liverpool), Gabriel Jesus, Ederson (both Manchester City), Thiago Silva (Chelsea), Fred (Manchester United), Richarlison (Everton) and Raphinha (Leeds United) had to stay at home as a result.
FIFA president Infantino sends urgent letter to Boris Johnson
The FIFA boss immediately expressed his concerns to the British Prime Minister last month.
Had the above players been included in the final selection, they would have had to quarantine for ten days upon their return to England. This rule applies to people returning from a country with a red color code. Due to the measure of the Brazilian Football Association, Fred will also miss Manchester United’s Champions League match with Zenit Saint Petersburg next Tuesday. Thiago Silva is missing from Chelsea that same day in the meeting with Young Boys. According to the BBC Brazil will let Richarlison play for Everton against Burnley this weekend, because the Toffees recently had the attacker participate in the Tokyo Olympics.
FIFA boss Gianni Infantino immediately had problems with the decision of the Premier League clubs and decided to send a letter to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. “I call on every member of FIFA, every league and every club to show solidarity to do what is both right and fair for global football,” the FIFA president wrote in August. “Many of the best players in the world compete in leagues in England and Spain, and we believe these countries also share a responsibility to maintain and protect the sporting integrity of leagues around the world.”
“On the issue of quarantine restrictions in England for players returning from red-listed countries, I have written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson asking for support so that players are not deprived of the opportunity to represent their country in the World Cup qualifiers, a of the ultimate accolades for a professional footballer. I have proposed to implement for the upcoming international matches an approach similar to that of the British government for the final stages of the European Championship. Together we have shown solidarity and unity in the fight against corona Now I urge everyone to ensure the release of international players for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers,” Infantino concluded.