The Government are said to be close to reaching a ‘compromise’ over red list restrictions for Premier League footballers following the international break’s club vs country rows.
September’s international break has been fraught with difficulties as clubs and countries continue to dispute the participation of players, with a number of Premier League clubs having refused permission for players to travel to red-listed nations for international fixtures.
The Brazilian FA have since approached FIFA to invoke a five-day ruling on the eight players who were refused permission to join up with the national side, a scenario which could lead to the likes of Alisson, Ederson, Fabinho and Fred missing this weekend’s Premier League fixtures.
Brazil’s clash with Argentina also ended in farcical fashion as health officials entered the pitch to remove and deport four Argentine players, with Aston Villa’s Emiliano Buendia and Emiliano Martinez and Tottenham’s Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso accused of not following quarantine protocols following their arrival into the country from the UK.
The Telegraph are reporting that a potential solution is now being sought with the Government ahead of upcoming international breaks, though it is unlikely to come in time to end the dispute ahead of this weekend’s fixtures.
The report says that full exemptions for footballers are ‘unlikley’, but a ‘compromise’ is close to being reached.
A total of 11 players are currently banned from representing their clubs this weekend, with sides including Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Leeds set to be impacted following FIFA’s ruling.
Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, has written to prime minister Boris Johnson to urge him to give footballers dispensation to play games in red list countries, whilst Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden is seeking a solution that ‘does not compromise public health’.
