August 24, (THEWILL) – A concerted effort to keep their first team players rather than lose them to extended quarantine periods has seen the Premier League clubs reach a decision to withhold their players from next month’s international matches billed to take place in any country in the “red list” of the United Kingdom (see below).
THEWILL recalls that based on operative guidelines, anyone entering the UK from any “red list” countries is obliged to quarantine upon their return to the UK for a period of 10 days. For footballers, the implication is an inevitable absence from several fixtures.
With Cape Verde on the UK’S list of coronavirus affected countries impacted by the decision, Nigeria’s Super Eagles players across the UK are not going to be available for Gernot Rohr’s squad in next month’s Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifier clash at the Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde.
With even more players of the Eagles squad in the EPL this season than ever before, that will leave out a sizeable selection of the country’s first team players from contention in the fixture. That means no fewer than seven players such as Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Oghenekaro Etebo, Emmanuel Dennis and William Troost-Ekong will be unavailable for selection.
They will be added to players from Scottish football, who are also under the British guidelines. This leaves Semi Ajayi, Joe Aribo and Leon Balogun out of contention for the Super Eagles next month for the three-time African champions.
Players from other countries that will be missing key squad members include Egypt who will be without Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and Brazil who will miss the services of the trio Fabinho, Alisson and Roberto Firmino of Liverpool as well.
In a statement from the Premier League, the rationale for the decision was given: “Premier League clubs have today reluctantly but unanimously decided not to release players for international matches played in red-list countries next month.
“The clubs’ decision, which is strongly supported by the Premier League, will apply to nearly 60 players from 19 Premier League clubs who are due to travel to 26 red-list countries in the September international window.
“This follows FIFA’s current position not to extend its temporary release exception for players required to quarantine on their return from international duty.
Extensive discussions have taken place with both The FA and the Government to find a solution, but due to ongoing public health concerns relating to incoming travellers from red-list countries, no exemption has been granted.
“If required to quarantine on return from red list countries, not only would players’ welfare and fitness be significantly impacted, but they would also be unavailable to prepare for and play in two Premier League match rounds, a UEFA club competition matchday and the third round of the EFL Cup.
“This period takes into consideration 10 days of hotel quarantine on return to England but does not include any additional time that would be required for players to regain match fitness.
“Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said: ‘Premier League clubs have always supported their players’ desires to represent their countries – this is a matter of pride for all concerned. However, clubs have reluctantly but rightly come to the conclusion that it would be entirely unreasonable to release players under these new circumstances.
“Quarantine requirements mean that players’ welfare and fitness will be significantly impacted. We understand the challenges that exist in the international match calendar and remain open to workable solutions.’
“Clubs also discussed their dissatisfaction with FIFA’s decision to extend CONMEBOL’s international window by two days in September and October from nine to 11 days.
“This places additional international obligations on players from that region, to the detriment of their availability to represent their clubs.
“FIFA was urged to work with all stakeholders to ensure an agreeable conclusion can be reached on the issue.”
Prior to the Cape Verde tie, Rohr will likely have the full strength of the Super Eagles players in England available to play the initial game against Liberia in Lagos on September 3 only to have them miss the clash in Praia four days later.
The Uk’s Red list includes the following countries:
Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Bangladesh
Bolivia
Botswana
Brazil
Burundi
Cape Verde
Chile
Colombia
Congo (Democratic Republic)
Costa Rica
Cuba
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
Eritrea
Eswatini
Ethiopia
French Guiana
Georgia
Guyana
Haiti
Indonesia
Kenya
Lesotho
Malawi
Maldives
Mayotte
Mexico
Mongolia
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nepal
Oman
Pakistan
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Réunion
Rwanda
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Africa
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Tanzania
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Uruguay
Venezuela
Zambia
Zimbabwe
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
