A new ruling form FIFA means that certain Premier League clubs will be able to hold onto their best players during the March international break.
The UK now has a ‘red list’ of countries where people will have to quarantine for 10 days in a hotel when returning from those countries, elite athletes are not exempt from this so any player leaving for International duty would miss much more matches than expected.
Clubs are usually forced by FIFA to allow their players to leave on international duty but the COVID pandemic has changed that.
According to Sky Sports, an extension on FIFA’s ruling until April means clubs are allowed to refuse players leaving on international duty in a number of circumstances including if the player is leaving to a ‘red list’ country. This includes Portugal and all of South America.
Bad news for Portuguese fans but good news for Manchester United fans as golden boy Bruno Fernandes will be staying at the club.
Portugal will be playing Azerbaijan on March 24th in their first 2022 World Cup qualifier but will now be playing without Bernardo Silva or Bruno.
brazil will also be playing without Chelsea’s Thiago Silva, Everton’s Richarlison and Manchester City’s Ederson and Jesus. Firmino will also be staying in Liverpool.
Multiple more players will be staying in England this March, how will their countries fair without them?