Politics
Man Utd set to BLOCK Bruno Fernandes from playing for Portugal over quarantine red list fears as Prem hold crisis talks
MANCHESTER UNITED could BLOCK Bruno Fernandes from playing for Portugal this month with the Premier League set to hold crisis talks.
Portugal have three World Cup qualifiers – against Azerbaijan, Serbia and Luxembourg – later in March.
Solskjaer could block Fernandes from heading off on international duty later this month[/caption]
But Fernandes, 26, could miss all of them, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believed to be considering banning him from taking part.
Portugal is one of the countries on the ‘red list’ – which would force Fernandes to quarantine in a Government-approved hotel for ten days on his return to the UK.
Fifa recently relaxed rules regarding clubs releasing players for international duty due to coronavirus.
But Premier League clubs are still worried about placing their stars in the middle of a club versus country row – with 16 of the 20 clubs having players from ‘red list’ countries on their books.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp revealed many of his players would be banned from playing for their country this month, with huge footballing nations such as Brazil and Argentina also on the ‘red list’.
Everton are another club firmly against allowing players to head off on international duty to ‘red list’ nations, according to the Mail.
And now United boss Solskjaer has said: “We’ve not sat down and made a proper call on that one but it doesn’t make sense if you lose your player for ten days isolation.
“We’re the ones paying the players and from what I understand that’s the rule.
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“Fifa have given the rules that they don’t have to be released so I would think that’s going to be a hard call to make to let them go and play in red list countries.
“I want Bruno ready against Brighton and hopefully that we’re through in Europe and against Tottenham after that break.”
United also have Brazilian duo Fred and Alex Telles, as well as Uruguay’s Edinson Cavani and Facundro Pellistri who could represent ‘red list’ nations.
Premier League clubs are hoping players who return from ‘red list’ countries – if they are allowed to go – will be granted special exemption to train and play games, pending a negative test for Covid.
However, that is looking less and less likely.
