EPL clubs risk FIFA ban after blocking 60 players from World Cup qualifiers

Premier League clubs will risk having their players banned from playing for them by FIFA, after they decided not to release players travelling for international matches in red-list countries.

A unanimous decision was taken on Tuesday, to block up to 60 players from travelling to nations on the UK’s red list.

This is because it would involve them quarantining for 10 days on their return and potentially missing two rounds of fixtures, a European match and a third-round Carabao Cup clash.

Liverpool and Manchester City have already barred the likes of Mo Salah and their Brazilian contingents from going away with their countries.

The Premier League still hopes to force the UK Government to grant exemptions.

FIFA are also attempting to find a solution by holding talks with the clubs, national federations and governments.

If that fails, they could ban players from representing their clubs until five days after the end of the international break.