FIFA plan to ORDER teams to release called up players for South American World

On Oct 5, 2020

FIFA plan to ORDER teams to release players called up for South American World Cup qualifiers despite ongoing objections due to coronavirus fears

FIFA order teams to release their South American players for internationals
Clubs are reluctant to allow their players to depart in the current health climate
Some South American countries still do not have covid-19 guidelines in place
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has already expressed his disagreements

Published: 10:45 EDT, 5 October 2020 | Updated: 10:53 EDT, 5 October 2020

FIFA are reportedly planning to order teams to release their South American players for World Cup qualifying duty, despite growing reservations across Europe of clubs not wanting their stars on long haul travel.

With the international break now upon us, many clubs have aired their grievances regarding the calling up of their players at a time when coronavirus infection rates are once again spiking across the globe.

In many South American countries covid-19 protocols have not been made clear, meaning certain sections of players could be more exposed to risk which would have a huge knock-on effect on the Premier League.

FIFA are set to order teams to release their South American players for international duties, as clubs hold fears regarding long haul travel for World Cup qualifying clashes

The governing football body plans to accede to demands that players do not have to play in friendly matches, but it will enforce release requirements for the first round of South America’s World Cup qualification games and for matches in Europe’s Nations League, as report the New York Times.

In the coming week many South American nations face crunch qualifying matches, with the likes of Brazil set to lock horns with Bolivia and Peru in the space of four days.

Jurgen Klopp has already spoken out on the subject during his recent press conference

FIFA’s proposed action is set to incur the fury of many sides, with managers observing the real possibility of players returning from international duty and missing large periods of action due to quarantine restrictions.

Recently Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp made his opinion on the matter known, pointing out in a pre-match press conference: ‘I don’t want to sound disrespectful about how other countries are doing it but this is the place that we know and we know how we are dealing with it.

‘So I am slightly concerned because it is difficult to be in contact with all FAs (football associations) all over the world.

He added: ‘As a football club you are pretty alone in these moments, we send the players away and then we have another challenge because we have to play a Premier League game on a Saturday after they have travelled from, maybe Peru, on the Thursday or Friday.’

Premier League stars may have to quarantine upon return, causing issues for their clubs

The decision will require clubs to release dozens of European and North American…