Football governing body FIFA has called on leagues to release and allow their players to participate in the forthcoming international break.
Several leagues including the English Premier League and Spanish La Liga have stated that they won’t release their players to red-list countries ahead of the international games to be played.
Also, on Wednesday, Italy’s Serie A released a statement in which it pledged to support clubs who do not wish to release players for the upcoming window.
They cited Covid-19 concerns and restrictions as the bone of contention as players who travel out to red-list countries stand the risk of being exposed to the virus.
Not only that, even if they don’t get the virus, the players will have to observe mandatory isolation on their return to their clubs.
This inadvertently means that the players involved will not be able to take part in some games.
A host of African countries as well as Argentina and Brazil are amongst those impacted by the decision. This has made FIFA and CAF roll out statements urging the leagues to reconsider their stance.
FIFA Statement
“We have faced global problems together in the past and must continue to do so in the future. The release of players in the upcoming international windows is a matter of great urgency and importance,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a statement published on FIFA’s official website.
“I am grateful for the support and cooperation from many stakeholders in the game during this challenging period. I am calling on a show of solidarity from every member association, every league and every club to do what is both right and fair for the global game.
“Many of the best players in the world compete in leagues in England and Spain, and we believe these countries also share the responsibility to preserve and protect the sporting integrity of competitions around the world.
“On the issue of quarantine restrictions in England, for players returning from red-list countries, I have written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and appealed for the necessary support, in particular, so players are not deprived of the opportunity of representing their countries in qualifying matches for the FIFA World Cup.
“I have suggested that an approach similar to that adopted by the UK government for the final stages of the Euro 2020 be implemented for the upcoming international matches. Together we have shown solidarity and unity in the fight against Covid-19. Now, I am urging everyone to ensure the release of international players for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers.”
CAF Statement
“CAF has noted the current circumstances in place in Britain regarding the lack of sporting exemptions for players returning from several African countries after the international window next week,” the body affirmed.
“CAF, acting on behalf of all African Member Associations, African players and fans, has urged the British Government to urgently provide the required exemptions to enable African players to compete for their countries in the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifiers.
“CAF notes that similar exemptions were granted by the British Government to enable the attendance of delegations and officials, amongst others, at the finals of the European Championship held less than two months ago.
“It is further noted that the circumstances in the African countries on the red list in many cases are in fact less severe than other countries not currently on this list or for which exemptions were previously provided.
“Furthermore, CAF would like to reiterate that the upcoming matches will be delivered under the strict protocols developed by FIFA and applied across the world, as was the case in previous windows and continental tournaments successfully delivered without any incidents.
“These protocols have now proven beyond a doubt that they mitigate the risks involved, reflecting the success of commensurate protocols applied domestically in England and other parts of the world.
“In light of the above, CAF has appealed as a matter of urgency, to the Football Association (FA) and the British Government that the same treatment previously applied to Europe now be extended to Africa under the principles of solidarity and equal treatment.”
Almost 60 countries are in the United Kingdom’s Covid ‘Red List’ with a majority of the countries being African countries.
Also in South America, only Bolivia is exempt from the red list which means Argentina, Brazil, Colombia amongst others would have to do without their star players in the affected leagues.
It remains to be seen if the leagues would have a rethink and release their players after the statements from FIFA and CAF.
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