Established 1961 15 Sports Thursday, August 26, 2021 Premier League clubs won’t release players for red-list internationals Players would’ve missed games due to UK quarantine regulations LONDON: The Premier League on Richarlison and Chelsea’s Thiago Silva ‘Extensive discussions’ Tuesday announced its clubs will not were also among the Brazil players In La Liga, there are currently 25 play- release players for international matches affected. Argentina is on the red-list so ers from 13 clubs affected, but that a num- played in red-list countries next month. Tottenham’s Cristian Romero and ber could grow when the squads for Later in the evening, the Spanish Liga Giovani Lo Celso, as well as Aston Villa’s Ecuador and Venezuela are announced. said they would support clubs if they Emiliano Martinez and Emiliano “La Liga wants to communicate that it will decide not to release players to red-list Buendia, will be unable to travel. support in all areas the decision of the countries. “Premier League clubs have today Spanish clubs not to release their players Amid frustration that players who reluctantly but unanimously decided not belonging to the national teams for the travelled to red-list countries would CONMEBOL call-up, and will take have to follow UK coronavirus quar- appropriate legal action against this antine regulations ruling them out of decision that affects the integrity of several of their club’s matches, the our competition by not allowing the league has revealed a blanket ban for availability of the players,” the govern- the September fixtures. Nearly 60 ing body said. The Egyptian Football Association The row could rumble on however, had said on Monday Liverpool would players affected with Paraguay’s football federation not release Mohamed Salah for the vowing to take their case to FIFA if upcoming World Cup qualifiers Newcastle refuse to release key for- against Angola and Gabon due to the ward Miguel Almiron. “We have LIVERPOOL: In this file photo taken on April 14, 2021, Liverpool’s Egyptian midfield- quarantine rules. It was also reported already contacted the English federa- er Mohamed Salah reacts during the UEFA Champions League quarter final second that Liverpool would refuse to release tion by writing to request the release leg football match between Liverpool and Real Madrid at Anfield in Liverpool, north Fabinho, Roberto Firmino and Alisson of Almiron. If we are not successful we west England. — AFP Becker for Brazil’s three upcoming World to release players for international will go straight to FIFA’s Player Status Cup qualifiers. matches played in red-list countries next Committee, activating the mechanisms Both Egypt and Brazil are on the UK month,” the Premier League said in a provided in the regulations,” Luis recent decision of world governing body Government did not feel it could make Government’s red list, with “mandatory statement on their website. “The clubs’ Kannonikof, the Paraguayan federation’s FIFA to extend the September and allowances for footballers as it seeks to isolation for 10 days” for travellers decision, which is strongly supported by general secretary, told AFP. October international windows in South protect public health. Last season, FIFA returning from those countries. With the Premier League, will apply to nearly Paraguay are due to face Ecuador, America by two days to catch up on post- granted clubs dispensation not to release tension mounting over the club versus 60 players from 19 Premier League Colombia and Venezuela between poned fixtures. For British clubs, a poten- players where quarantine was an issue. country issue, the Premier League took clubs who are due to travel to 26 red- September 2 and September 9. “The tial solution would have been for the UK “Extensive discussions have taken matters into their own hands. list countries in the September interna- exception that allows clubs to refuse to Government to grant quarantine exemp- place with both The FA and the Like the Liverpool trio, Manchester tional window. This follows FIFA’s cur- release players is no longer in effect, tions for players. Government to find a solution, but due to City stars Ederson and Gabriel Jesus rent position not to extend its tempo- therefore the release is mandatory for all Discussions were held between football ongoing public health concerns relating to will now not be allowed to play for rary release exception for players clubs. It must be respected,” added authorities and the Department for Digital, incoming travellers from red-list countries, Brazil. Leeds’ Raphinha, Fred of required to quarantine on their return Kannonikof. Culture, Media and Sport but a relaxation no exemption has been granted,” the Manchester United, Everton striker from international duty.” The problem was exacerbated by the of rules was not considered. The Premier League statement said. — AFP Vieira’s wait for first Argentina, Brazil plan win goes on as Palace return of fans for suffer League Cup exit World Cup qualifier LONDON: Patrick Vieira’s winless start as Crystal BUENOS AIRES: Argentina and Brazil announced Palace manager extended to three games as the on Tuesday plans to use World Cup qualifiers next Eagles suffered a 1-0 loss at Watford in the League month as test events for the return of football fans Cup second round on Tuesday. Vieira replaced the to stadiums following COVID-19 enforced bans. popular Roy Hodgson as Palace boss in the close- Argentina’s Tourism and Sports Minister Matias season, but the former Arsenal and France star has Lammens said that a pilot scheme would take place endured a miserable beginning with the south on September 9 for the visit of Bolivia to Buenos London club. Aires at the 70,000 “Monumental stadium with 30 Palace lost 3-0 at Chelsea in their Premier percent capacity, as a first step to the return of League opener before being held to a dour 0-0 spectators at all large-scale spectacles.” draw by promoted Brentford on Saturday. Hoping Meanwhile, Sao Paulo’s sports secretariat said in for the first win and first goal of his reign, Vieira a statement it would allow 12,000 fans in the selected a strong team for their trip to Vicarage 48,000-capacity Neo Quimica Arena in Sao Paulo Road in the League Cup. LONDON: Crystal Palace’s French manager Patrick Vieira reacts at the final whistle during the English for the crunch clash with arch-rivals Argentina on But despite the presence of Ivory Coast forward Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Brentford at Selhurst Park in south London on September 5. However, news from the English Wilfried Zaha, Palace once again drew a blank as an August 21, 2021. — AFP Premier League earlier in the day could put a span- 86th minute goal from Ashley Fletcher condemned ner in both plans. Vieira to his second defeat. With a penalty shoot- Andros Townsend fired Everton into the third Smith, with Anwar El Ghazi netting twice and The Premier League announced its clubs would out just four minutes away, Cucho Hernandez’s round as they overcame the red card shown to Frederic Guilbert also scoring. not release players for international matches in cross reached Fletcher to tap in at the far post. Moise Kean to beat Huddersfield 2-1 at the John Brentford, who reached the semi-finals last year, countries on Britain’s list of most at-risk places with It won’t get any easier for Vieira, who was Smith’s Stadium. Alex Iwobi’s goal for Everton was survived a scare as they beat fourth-tier Forest regards the coronavirus pandemic. In Spain, La sacked by French club Nice in 2020. Vieira’s team cancelled out by Tom Lees before Kean was giving Green 3-1. Jack Aitchison gave Forest Green a Liga said on Tuesday evening that it would support travel to Premier League leaders West Ham on his marching orders. shock lead, but second-half goals from Yoane clubs that refuse to release players. Saturday before facing Tottenham and Liverpool in Kean was dismissed after an off-the-ball inci- Wissa, Bryan Mbeumo and Marcus Forss put With Ecuador and Venezuela still to announce their first two games after the international break. dent with Sorba Thomas, but Townsend’s first Brentford in the third round. their squads, 25 players from 13 Spanish clubs have “We have to change our mentality when we are in Everton goal made sure there was no upset by the Norwich, beaten in their first two Premier League already been called up for the South American the opposition half. We have to be more aggressive Championship side. “The sending off of Moise games, hammered Championship side Bournemouth qualifiers. The English and Spanish moves do not and determined to take those chances because today Kean, it’s still in many ways a mistake. We cannot 6-0 at Carrow Road. Brighton boss Graham Potter yet affect star players such as Paris Saint-Germain we didn’t do it,” Vieira said. “There is a lot of frustra- lose our temper but he’s a young player,” Everton made 11 changes but his team still advanced with a duo Lionel Messi and Neymar, but it remains to be tion on our side because I think we created enough to manager Rafael Benitez said. “Hopefully he can 2-0 win at second tier Cardiff. Jakub Moder and seen if other European leagues replicate the moves. win. I am disappointed because up front we have to learn from that. But the reaction of the team was Andi Zeqiri both scored their first goals for the Fans were last allowed in stadiums in Argentina improve ourselves.