The Brazilian FA has triggered a rule that means eight Brazilian players will be unable to play for their Premier League clubs this weekend.
Prior to the international break getting underway, the Premier League announced that clubs would not be allowing players to leave the country and represent their nation if it meant travelling to a red-list destination. While other teams have been impacted Brazil were hit particularly hard as Thiago Silva, Fred, Richarlison, Raphinha, Roberto Firmino, Fabinho, Alisson, Ederson and Gabriel Jesus all remained in England.
International drama continues
Alas, while some were hoping that would be the end of it, the Brazilian Football Association has decided to take action by requesting eight of the aforementioned players are suspended for five days after the international period ends – which, as per FIFA regulations, stretches from September 10 to September 14.
The Brazilian Football Association has requested that FIFA block Premier League clubs from selecting players who they refused to release for international duty for five days.
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 8, 2021
The move would mean Silva and Fred also can’t play in their respective Champions League openers, but in an interesting development, Richarlison will not be made to miss Everton’s Monday Night Football clash with Burnley as the Toffees allowed him to play at the Olympic Games in Tokyo when rules stated they didn’t need to do so.
Chelsea, Manchester United, Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester City will all feel the wrath of this decision with the Reds being particularly hard done by in accordance with the ruling.
Their opponents will be licking their lips at the prospect of trying to take advantage of this although it should be noted Raul Jimenez, Miguel Almiron and Francisco Sierralta will also miss out for their respective clubs due to decisions made by Mexico, Paraguay and Chile.
Featured image credit: Getty