England based Latin American players have been cleared to play for their clubs after the complaints against them were dropped. These complaints were regarding the players failing to report for international duty for their respective countries.
Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Mexico had complained to the football governing authority, FIFA and invoked a rule which pertains to this. This rule states that if the players failed to report for their international matches despite being called up, they would be banned for five days after the international window is over.
Now, the countries have withdrawn their complaints. They have allowed the players to represent their clubs this weekend. There were 12 players who escaped this ban. The countries talked with FIFA and they have waived the ban.
FIFA has said it was a decision taken in good faith, goodwill and co-operation. They also have given positive signals concerning their talks with the UK Government, in regards to next month’s international window. They have added that the UK Government, the Premier League and the Football Association are working with them to find a reasonable solution so that these situations are not repeated.
Players travelling to red list countries had to quarantine for 10 days after their return, which could have resulted in them missing games for the clubs in the UK. The South American qualifiers took place in mostly red list countries and the clubs did not allow these players to leave which resulted in these countries complaining to FIFA.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino had asked governments to allow players to be exempted so that they can report for their national teams, while not affecting the clubs they represent. However, the call was rejected that time around.
Players who are allowed to play:
Alisson, Fabinho, Roberto Firmino (Liverpool and Brazil)
Ederson and Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City and Brazil)
Thiago Silva (Chelsea and Brazil)
Raphinha (Leeds and Brazil)
Fred (Manchester United and Brazil)
Miguel Almiron (Newcastle and Paraguay)
Raul Jimenez (Wolves and Mexico)
Francisco Sierralta (Watford and Chile)
Ben Brereton (Blackburn and Chile)