BRAZIL will ask FIFA to ban the Premier League stars who have been refused permission to fly home for their World Cup qualifiers.
Premier League clubs have refused to allow some players of South American nationality to travel to the continent due to COVID-19 fears. These players will be expected to be in quarantine for a few days upon their return and would miss at least a Premier League game.
FA chiefs in Rio are set to urge FIFA to impose the five-day rule preventing the nine stars including Alisson, Ederson, and Thiago Silva from playing in the first Prem games after the international break.
If FIFA agrees to the ban, the Premier League governing body will have no option but to uphold the suspensions and force the six top-flight clubs to omit their players.
Liverpool’s Alisson, Fabinho, and Roberto Firmino were among the England-based players who were told not to travel, while champions Manchester City were equally determined to keep Ederson and Gabriel Jesus in the country.
The other players retained by their clubs were Chelsea defender Thiago Silva, Manchester United midfielder Fred, Everton striker Richarlison, and Leeds’ Raphinha.
Following the receipt of the email demand – which cited the journeys of the Villa and Spurs players – the Prem clubs remained resolute on the issue.
But if FIFA imposes the bans which are laid down in the statutes and bind the FA to follow any disciplinary action, the clubs will be deprived of them for five days after the final match they miss.
With Brazil’s third qualifier against Peru in Recife taking place on Thursday in Brazil – the early hours of Friday in the UK – it would also deprive United of the services of Fred for their opening Champions League game at Young Boys Berne on September 14, while Thiago Silva would also miss Chelsea’s game with Zenit St Petersburg.
City and Liverpool, though, who play on Wednesday, September 15, would be allowed to field their Brazilians.
