Now it’s official: the Premier League clubs have decided, “reluctantly but unanimously”, not to make their players available for the national team matches that will be played in the so-called ‘red list’ countries. The club’s decision, heavily backed by the Premier League, will apply to nearly 60 players from 19 clubs, who are expected to travel to the 26 red list countries in the September Nationals window.
In a note published on the official website of the Premier League it is emphasized that “the quarantine on return from these countries, in fact, would not only affect the well-being and physical fitness of the players, but would have a significant impact on the season, because the players do not they could play two Premier League rounds, one in European competitions and one in the League Cup ». “This period takes into consideration ten days of quarantine in the hotel on return to England – it is specified -, but does not include the additional time necessary for the players to recover fitness”.
According to Premier League CEO Richard Masters, “Premier clubs have always supported their players’ desire to represent their countries and this is a source of pride for all concerned. However, we came, reluctantly but rightly, to the conclusion that it would be completely unreasonable to release players in these new circumstances ». The clubs of the English top division also wanted to highlight their dissatisfaction with FIFA’s decision to extend Conmebol’s international window by two days, from nine to eleven, in September and October.