Not Cans, FIFA Will Sanction English Premier League Clubs For Playing South American Players This Week

JAKARTA - Premier League clubs face FIFA sanctions if they play South American players who are not released for international duty with their national teams in this weekend's match.

Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City were among the clubs that did not let their Brazilian players go during the international break due to having to travel to 'red list' countries. They face a choice between not fielding those players this weekend or facing sanctions.

Sources told Reuters, as reported by Antara, that the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) had triggered a five-day 'auto-restriction period' barring clubs from selecting players who were not exempt from playing for their national team.

The CBF later confirmed that they had indeed contacted FIFA to enforce its rules.

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"The information is correct," a CBF spokesman told Reuters. "We only asked FIFA to comply with the rules after the players did not follow (its international obligations)."

The spokesman said the request did not include Everton striker Richarlison who had previously been released by his club to play for his country in the Tokyo Olympics.

The CBF also requested that the restrictions be applied to Russian side Zenit St Petersburg who recalled their two players Malcom and Claudinho after playing for Brazil.

Premier League clubs Wolves, Newcastle and Watford, along with Championship side Blackburn Rovers, could also lose players this weekend after the Chile, Mexico and Paraguay associations also activated a period of restrictions as did Brazil.

FIFA rules state that any club that selects a player during the restriction period may be subject to disciplinary action.

Given that South American countries are on the COVID-19 red list for travel from England which requires players to undergo hotel quarantine upon their return to the country, clubs have opted not to allow them to play for their national teams.

FIFA declined to comment. The Premier League and Football Association could not immediately be reached for comment.

European Club Association CEO Charlie Marshall said Tuesday that clubs should absolutely not be sanctioned.

"In our opinion there is no need for sanctions because if a player has to be quarantined then he cannot immediately play for his club again, so it will be longer than the release period (to strengthen his team) that has been agreed," he said at the ECA general assembly.

FIFA set aside its usual rule regarding international call-ups during the pandemic but did not extend it in favor of current matches.

Liverpool will be without Alisson Becker, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino when they face Leeds United on Sunday. On the other hand, Leeds cannot be strengthened by Raphinha.

Manchester City will be without goalkeepers Ederson and Gabriel Jesus against Leicester City the day before. Manchester United midfielder Fred and Chelsea defender Thiago Silva were also affected.

Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur players featured for Argentina in the game against Brazil which was canceled after just five minutes last Sunday.

FIFA opened a disciplinary investigation after Brazilian health authorities stormed the pitch to stop Brazil's match against Argentina after four Argentine players from the Premier League violated the country's COVID-19 quarantine rules.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and Tottenham Hotspur duo Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso were on the Neo Quimica Arena pitch as part of the Argentina team when Brazilian health officials Anvisa stopped the match. Meanwhile, Aston Villa's Emiliano Buendia was in the stands.