Premier League chiefs are lobbying Government for quarantine exemptions to avoid their star players being forced to isolate in hotels and face missing key Premier League and Champions League matches.
Stars from top clubs including Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City could miss up to four games when they return from the upcoming World Cup qualifiers when they return from red-list countries like Brazil, Argentina and Egypt.
In what is set to become a huge club-versus-country row, the likes of Liverpool pair Alisson and Roberto Firmino, Gabriel Jesus at Manchester City, Everton’s Richarlison and Leeds winger Raphinha will be forced into quarantine while Mo Salah could also be affected with one of Egypt’s matches due to take place at home.
The likes of Gabriel Jesus (left) of Manchester City and Mohamed Salah of Liverpool may have to face time in quarantine after playing in World Cup qualifiers for their respective nations
Manchester United midfielder Fred could also fall victim due to travel restrictions in the UK
If it is not resolved, players face missing two Premier League games, one round of Carabao cup matches and the opening group-stage clashes in the Champions League.
It comes after The Mail on Sunday revealed last week that FIFA have scrapped their temporary rule that allowed clubs to refuse to release players for international duty who faced more than five days quarantine.
To try and avoid a disaster clash of interests, The FA and Premier League are understood to have already met with senior figures at the Department of Media, Culture and Sport (DCMS) to make their case for exemptions with clubs in support of the move.
Last week, sources at DCMS suggested exemptions were unlikely to be granted and on Saturday night there had still been no resolution to the dispute.
British & Irish Lions players were denied quarantine exemptions when they returned from their South Africa tour earlier this month.
British & Irish Lions stars were denied quarantine exemptions after touring South Africa
If quarantine isn’t granted, it will leave the players in the delicate position of having to choose between club and country. Clubs who force their players to stay in England face FIFA sanctions and are understood to be willing to leave the decision to individual players whilst fully supporting the outcome.
Government are aware of the financial benefits the Premier League bring to the country but are also mindful an elite exemption will lead to accusations of double-standards with regular members of the public having to abide by quarantine rules.
The situation is further complicated by Europe’s biggest clubs being furious with FIFA for extending the international break window for the South American qualifiers so close to Premier League games it will be virtually impossible for the players to play in both – even if isolation rules are lifted.
South American nations are cramming in a third game after previous games were postponed due to the pandemic.
The third of Brazil’s triple-header, against Peru, finishes at 3am UK time on Friday, September 10, less than 36 hours before a Premier League programme that includes Manchester City against Leicester, United versus Newcastle and Chelsea at home to Aston Villa and Tottenham at Crystal Palace. These games would usually involve the likes of Fred, Gabriel Jesus, Thiago Silva and Giovani Lo Celso.
Many Premier League players will contest World Cup qualifiers in the coming weeks
Liverpool boss could be without the likes of Salah, Roberto Firmino and Alisson due to the travel restrictions in place on countries like Brazil and Egypt
If the situation is not resolved and carries into the October international break, the likes of Salah and Firmino could also miss Liverpool’s game against Manchester United.
The European Club Association, backed by City, United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs, have deemed the move by FIFA as ‘unacceptable’ and are fighting back to avoid it becoming commonplace for international games to clash with club matches.
They claim that alternative options, such as to play qualifiers in Europe, allow larger international squads or finish the international programme a day earlier, have been ignored by the governing body.
Clubs feel aggrieved because they pay the wages of their players while they are on international duty and often foot the bill to fly them back privately so their travel is more comfortable.
Every South American country will play three times between September 2 and September 10.
Top clubs including Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City could be without their stars on the opening night of the Champions League group stages
Salah plays against Angola in Egypt, a red-list country, on September 2 with their second game away to Gabon which is currently on the amber list. Even if his quarantine rules only apply from the time he leaves Egypt, he is still be a doubt for Liverpool’s trip to Leeds.
It comes as a Mail on Sunday survey of club managers across the Premier League and Football League revealed that large number of players are still to be vaccinated.
Club bosses continued to urge their players to get jabbed but insisted it was down to each individual’s choice.
‘Not everyone is vaccinated,’ confirmed Villa manager Dean Smith. ‘We are certainly pushing to get everyone vaccinated. We have a dedicated medical person who is on the case. It is something we are certainly encouraging.’
Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has admitted that not all of his players have been vaccinated
Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock said most of his players had not been vaccinated out of ‘personal choice’. He added: ‘I don’t know where they’re getting their advice from, but I think it’s the wrong advice. I just can’t see the logic in not having them so I think there will be some disruption from the season.’
‘We can’t force the players, you can’t put a gun to their heads,’ said Burton manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. ‘Do I believe that they should all take that (the vaccine), yes I do, but everyone has their different beliefs. We have spoken about it and we are a club that is pro- the vaccines.’
Sunderland head coach Lee Johnson said: ‘I think we have got to trust the Government. My personal opinion is that you’ve got to save lives and understand that everybody is trying to do their best.
Personally, I’ve been double jabbed. I can understand the conspiracy theorists – I’ve got family members personally that have refused a vaccine. It becomes quite difficult then. My advice to the players would be to get double jabbed, but at the same time, you have to respect the individual and their beliefs.’