BRAZIL PLAYERS BARRED FROM PREMIER LEAGUE MATCHES THIS WEEKEND

For the previous international break, players from many of the top clubs in England were not released from their club due to concerns about COVID-19. Brazil has now logged a formal complaint about not getting several of their major players for the World Cup qualifying rounds. According to the FIFA rule, “players not released for International duty can be banned for five days after the fixture window ends. (Eurosport)” 

Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino and Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus

(Getty Images)

FIFA President Gianni Infantino had asked that the clubs release their players at the beginning of this international break, even the ones that needed to travel to red list countries, and it is very likely that the issue will come up again at the next international break.

These players were advised not to travel to Brazil on this International break due to the uncertainty surrounding the Coronavirus within the country. Travel to red list countries would have also meant missing several Premier League games due to the 10-day isolation period required under United Kingdom’s rules.

Several Brazilian players blocked from playing for their clubs this weekend. (Getty Images)

Brazil currently has a red-list Coronavirus status. The players that will be impacted by this ban in the Premier League are Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Fabinho (Liverpool), Alisson Becker (Liverpool), Ederson Moraes (Manchester City), Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City), Raphinha (Leeds United), Fred (Manchester United), and Thiago Silva (Chelsea). The only player to earn an exception, is Everton forward Richarlison, as the club allowed him to compete in the Olympics for Brazil, therefore Brazil when filing the complaint asked that he not be prevented from any fixtures for his club.

As of right now, the players appear to be marked off the rosters for these upcoming games due to “personal reasons” and are set to return in a few days.