FIFA Sanctions Await Premier League Clubs That Ban Their Players From Playing For The National Team

FIFA President, Gianni Infantino (Instagram @ gianniinfantino_)

JAKARTA - English Premier League clubs are threatened with sanctions from FIFA after banning several players from defending their countries who are included in the red list regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

This possibility emerged after Chile, Mexico and Paraguay asked FIFA to sanction English Premier League clubs who refused to release their players during this month's international break.

The request from these three countries could result in clubs from the English Premier League being sanctioned in the form of a ban on players who do not get permission to defend their country after the international break.

This can be avoided by English Premier League clubs as long as they can reach an agreement with the relevant national association.

Last week, Premier League clubs agreed anonymously that they would not release their players for international matches on the COVID-19 red list including Chile, Mexico, and Paraguay.

This decision was supported by the League to avoid players undergoing a 10-day quarantine period when they return to England after international matches.

Even so, FIFA regulations state that players must be released by their clubs to play for their countries if they are included in the FIFA international match agenda.

FIFA has previously contacted Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle, Watford, and Wolves as well as the FA to inform them of this regulation.

In addition to the three countries mentioned above, Argentina, Brazil, and Egypt are also included in the red list of COVID-19 countries set by the British government.

However, two English Premier League clubs, Aston Villa and Tottenham ultimately chose to release their players who were called up by the Argentine national team.

The following is a list of players from English clubs called up by their countries who are on the COVID-19 red list set by the British government:

Brazil

Allison Becker, Fabinho, Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Ederson, Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City), Thiago Silva (Chelsea), Fred (Manchester United), Richarlison (Everton), and Raphinha (Leeds United).

Chile

Ben Brereton (Blackburn) and Francisco Sierralta (Watford).

Mexico

Raul Jimenez (Wolves).

Paraguay

Miguel Almiron (Newcastle).

Egypt

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) and Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal).

Venezuela

Salomon Rondon (Everton).

Until now, FIFA is still waiting for the latest news from other associations in South America and Africa regarding this polemic.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino wrote a request to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson requesting a quarantine exemption for players who had recently traveled to the COVID-19 red list of countries, but the request was rejected.