Liverpool have refused to allow Mohamed Salah to play for Egypt in one of their World Cup qualifiers next week due to quarantine restrictions, according to reports.
Egypt face a home tie against Angola in Cairo next Thursday. However, as the country is on the UK government’s red list, Salah would have to undergo a 10-day quarantine upon his return to England.
The Guardian report that Liverpool will, however, allow Salah to participate in Egypt’s second World Cup qualifier against Gabon – which is not subject to quarantine restrictions.
They also add that, in addition, the club’s Brazilian contingent of Alisson, Roberto Firmino and Fabinho are unlikely to be allowed to play for their country. Brazil is also on the red list.
The Daily Mirror reported on Saturday that the Premier League has been lobbying the UK government to allow an exemption for international players travelling to red list countries.
The European Club Association – which Liverpool are a part of – have taken the stance that none of their players should be released if they would be required to quarantine upon return to their clubs.
Egypt’s FA said in a statement: “The Egyptian Football Association has received a letter from Liverpool FC apologising for the inability of its player, Mohamed Salah, to join the national team in its next camp, which includes facing Angola in Cairo and Gabon in Franceville during the first and second rounds of the African continent’s qualifiers for the World Cup.
“The English club’s letter referred to the precautionary measures applied in England to confront the outbreak of the coronavirus in the world, which puts returnees from some countries in compulsory health isolation for a period of 10 days upon their return to England.
“In this letter, the English club also expressed its hope that the Egyptian Federation would understand that it was forced to do so, in the faceo f the player being subjected to a quarantine for this period and being affected by this physically, as well as the uncertainty of the conditions determined by the English authorities.”
Salah has started the season in fine form for Liverpool. He has scored one goal and provided two assists in his opening two appearances.
The 29-year-old is also in talks over a new contract with the Reds. He joined the club from Roma in 2016, and his current deal runs until 2023.
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