September 11, (THEWILL) – Ahead of the resumption of action in the English Premier League, world football governing body, FIFA, has intervened in the ongoing spat between some aggrieved countries and some EPL clubs by agreeing to lift a proposed five-day ban on Premier League players whose clubs blocked them from travelling for World Cup qualifiers.
As THEWILL reported, clubs in the UK broke FIFA protocols when they refused to release their players for crucial Qatar 2022 qualifiers amid concerns that any player involved, especially in travels to countries that were red-listed by the UK government, would be forced to serve a 10-day quarantine period upon their return, therefore missing a handful of domestic matches in their leagues.
Nigeria suffered the consequence of having no less than seven first team squad players, including Leicester City duo Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi, Everton’s Alex Iwobi, Watford’s pair Oghenekaro Etebo and William Troost-Ekong and two Scottish League Glasgow Rangers’ players Joe Aribo and Leon Balogun.
However, while Nigeria refrained from insisting on the stipulated punitive five-day ban on these clubs, the South And Central American countries, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Paraguay who did not take kindly to being denied their internationals for the qualifiers, unhesitatingly petitioned FIFA to enforce it because FIFA regulations do not permit clubs to block international call-ups.
As THEWILL reported, FIFA was looking to punish the teams in question by banning their South American stars for five days. The repercussions for teams like Liverpool meant the absence of the trio Alisson, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino, Manchester City was to be without Ederson Moraes and Gabriel Jesus. Chelsea will not have Thiago Silva while Manchester United’s Fred and Leeds’ Raphinha were to be equally suspended.
However, just before the hostilities resumed with Saturday’s slew of football matches in the EPL with City, United and Chelsea all involved at home and away fixtures, the South And Central American football federations dropped their demands petitioning FIFA to impose the five-day bans following FIFA’s intervention.
Talks continue to progress between the EPL, FIFA and international bodies involved on ways to navigate the waters of COVID-19 health and safety protocols surrounding travels as different strains of the virus remain prevalent across borders.
THEWILL considers this an important step towards a resolution of the conflicts that crop up when players are required for international engagements but have to walk the fine line between seeking to respond to the call of duty for one’s country and the attempts, covert and overt, by the clubs to retain the players, especially as there are international breaks in October and November and the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) early next year.
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.
