FIFA president Gianni Infantino has asked clubs in England and Spain to allow their players to travel for international duties in September.
Due to strict Covid-19 regulations, as many as 60 players have been held back by English clubs from going to represent their clubs in the Qatar World Cup qualifiers.
At least seven Nigerian players will be affected by the quarantine rules in the United Kingdom, while scores of players from mostly South American countries will be held back by Spain’s restrictions.
Having allowed the clubs to take this action on health grounds, FIFA has now, through its president, appealed to the clubs to consider a softer stance.
“We have faced global problems together in the past and must continue to do so in the future,” Infantino said in an official statement on Wednesday, the day after English clubs unanimously announced their intention not to release their players.
“The release of players in the upcoming international windows is a matter of great urgency and importance. I am grateful for the support and cooperation from many stakeholders in the game during this challenging period.
“I am calling on a show of solidarity from every member association, every league, and every club, to do what is both right and fair for the global game.
“Many of the best players in the world compete in leagues in England and Spain, and we believe these countries also share the responsibility to preserve and protect the sporting integrity of competitions around the world.”
Infantino, who replaced Sepp Blatter as FIFA boss in 2016, revealed that he had reached out to the highest authorities in the United Kingdom to relax the general quarantine rules for international footballers.
He added: “On the issue of quarantine restrictions in England, for players returning from red-list countries, I have written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and appealed for the necessary support, in particular, so players are not deprived of the opportunity of representing their countries in qualifying matches for the FIFA World Cup, which is one of the ultimate honours for a professional footballer.
“I have suggested that an approach similar to that adopted by the UK government for the final stages of the EURO 2020 be implemented for the upcoming international matches. Together we have shown solidarity and unity in the fight against COVID-19. Now, I am urging everyone to ensure the release of international players for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers.”
If the English clubs do not change their stance, Nigeria will have to play the Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Liberia in Lagos on 3 September and away to Cape Verde on 7 September without several key players.
While Nigeria is not on the ‘red list’ of countries (where after a visit anyone returning to the UK must be quarantined for 10 days), Cape Verde is.
Leicester City pair Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi, Watford trio William Troost-Ekong, Oghenekaro Etebo and Emmanuel Dennis, as well as Everton’s Alex Iwobi and Brentford’s Frank Onyeka will miss the important fixtures if there are no changes to the English clubs’ position.
