Almost 60 players not released: Premier League clubs refuse to release

The clubs of the English Premier League are refusing to release almost 60 players for upcoming international matches due to the corona pandemic.

As the league announced in a statement on Tuesday, the clubs have “reluctantly but unanimously decided” not to release players whose games will be “redlisted” in countries next month.

According to the statement, the decision affects almost 60 players from 19 Premier League clubs who would have traveled to 26 countries on the “Red List”. The players would have to be in quarantine for ten days after their return. This would not only “significantly affect the fitness of the players”, they would also not be available for two league games, the third round of the EFL Cup and for a matchday of a UEFA competition.

FA and British government tried to find a “solution”

The statement went on to say that “extensive discussions were held with the English FA and the government to find a solution.” But “no exemption has been granted due to persistent public health concerns regarding returnees from Red List countries.”

Most recently, the Egyptian association EFA announced that Liverpool FC, coached by Jürgen Klopp, did not want to release its star striker Mohamed Salah for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers for the Egyptian national team.