Premier League clubs won’t release players in COVID red zones
All 20 Premier League clubs have announced they will not release their players for international duty in countries that are ‘red’ zones for COVID-19.
If they were allowed to travel, the current UK government rules would force these players to then isolate for 10 days upon their return.
The Premier League had tried to find an exemption, but when that was not granted, the clubs came together to make the statement.
The decision applies “to nearly 60 players from 19 clubs and 26 red-list countries.”
The countries on the red list include Argentina, Brazil, the rest of South America, Egypt, Mexico and Turkey.
If they had sat out the quarantine period, these players risked missing two Premier League rounds, a UEFA club competition matchday and the third round of the EFL Cup.
FIFA added qualifying matches in September and October for the 2022 World Cup and it remains to be seen if the clubs will face sanctions for refusing to release their players.