Red Zone request: Premier League clubs hoping their stars can dodge quarantine

Premier League clubs are set to request special exemption for their players to travel to ‘red list’ countries for international duty next month without having to quarantine when they return.

As it stands, Government travel restrictions mean players will be required to self-isolate in a hotel for 10 days on their return from international duty if they have flown to a country on the UK’s banned list.

Last week, FIFA issued new guidelines that state clubs do not have to release players where a compulsory quarantine period of five days or more is required on their return.

Man City manager Pep Guardiola on Tuesday expressed concern about the international break

Some clubs could use FIFA’s rules to prevent players from reporting for duty next month. However, some players have privately expressed to clubs that they would still prefer to represent their countries.

Clubs are planning to submit applications to Whitehall for the appropriate dispensation allowing their stars to travel to prohibited destinations without the need to quarantine upon their return.

There is currently no exemption for elite sportspeople who are returning from red list destinations.

It remains to be seen whether Government officials will grant footballers permission to fulfil their international obligations but there is hope an arrangement can be found on the condition players leave their club’s bio-secure bubble and immediately enter their nation’s one.

The likes of Gabriel Jesus (middle) and Bernardo Silva (left) may be impacted next month

Liverpool keeper Alisson could also go into quarantine upon his return from international duty

Upon the conclusion of international duty, players will then be required to head straight back to their club’s bubble, though they may have to provide a negative Covid test before they can recommence training if they have been to a country from the red list.

If the Government accept the clubs’ applications then the forthcoming national team fixtures, which have been under significant doubt since the introduction of stricter travel restrictions earlier this year, should be able to go ahead relatively unaffected.

Top-flight clubs fear major disruption to their squads following the conclusion of March’s international…