Liverpool FC and Jurgen Klopp earlier refused to release their players for the South-American World Cup qualifiers due to which FIFA has banned 3 Liverpool players from taking part in the upcoming match against Leeds united.
UK GOVERNMENT’S RED LIST and SOUTH AMERICAN QUALIFIERS
Premier League Clubs refused to send their players for the South American Qualifiers due to governmental regulations. The refusal was due to the south American countries falling on the UK government’s COVID red list.
Players travelling to these countries would have led them to be forced to stay in a 10-day quarantine. The Quarantine would have meant that these players would be missing important Premier League and Champions League Fixtures.
LIVERPOOL REFUSAL AND FIFA SANCTION
Roberto Firmino, Fabinho, and Allison Becker were called up to play in the World Cup qualifiers by the Brazilian FA. But Liverpool’s refusal to send the angered the Brazillian Federation, who asked FIFA to intervene. FIFA slams the club for its refusal and has told the club that they cannot play the three players for the next game.
The Situation is likely to be repeated during the next rounds of qualifiers which are to be played next month.
Jurgen Klopp on protocols of FIFA
Liverpool Gaffer Jurgen Klopp is unhappy with FIFA and the prevailing situation. Thus, he has asked authorities to intervene. Klopp believes the situation could get worse if it’s not addressed soon. While speaking in a press conference, Klopp discussed the whole situation in detail. According to Klopp, players were ready to play the qualifiers and the club was ready to send them. But the government sanctions made it impossible for them to move ahead.
Klopp in the press conference said,
“I can understand why some people would say ‘I cannot travel, but they (footballers) are allowed to travel’, but just let me describe again the life we live. We live in bubbles. It’s home, training ground, training ground, home. Done.”
“Then when they (the players) move to the national teams, as far as we know they are in a bubble as well. We are not part of normal life. That’s why it has worked really well, the European Championships worked quite well in the summer.”
Basically what Klopp wanted to say is, why don’t the government exempt the players from all these sanctions as they are staying in bio bubbles and it’s almost impossible for them to catch or spread the virus.
WHAT NOW?
The uncertainty has somewhat frustrated Klopp as it makes it difficult for them to prepare for the match.
“I have no idea when I can expect an answer,” said Klopp. “I don’t know when I can make a decision, there will be a moment and the training session today will be very important and it would be nice if I could train with the team I want to play on Sunday.”
FIFA has still not made it clear that the ban on the players will stand or not. So, the club now has to make a decision as it is almost certain that the ban will prevail.
Regardless of the situation, Liverpool have to start Diego Jota, as Roberto Firmino has been ruled out of the Leeds game due to a hamstring injury.
Klopp has several mid-field options in case Fabinho doesn’t play, also Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is on stand-by to take Allison’s Place.
