South American players can play in the EPL despite missing World Cup qualifiers

Premier League clubs that have banned South American players from traveling to World Cup qualifiers will be able to play in them this weekend after the threat of a five-day ban by FIFA was lifted on Friday.

Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City were among clubs who did not release Brazilian players for the current international break due to them having to travel to Covid-19 ‘red list’ countries.

FIFA is hoping the British government eases the quarantine requirements for players in time for the next set of World Cup qualifiers in October.

There had been confusion among Premier League managers over the availability of their players throughout Friday until the assurances from FIFA.

The five-day restriction period would have started immediately after the international window which, for South America, ended on Thursday. It could also have taken in Champions League games next week.

Newcastle manager Steve Bruce already seemed sure Miguel Almiron was available to play against Manchester United on Saturday despite not going to Paraguay for games.

“A bit of common sense has prevailed,” Bruce said, “and he’s available for selection so we’re extremely pleased.”

Among the Brazilian players who were under threat of not playing in the Premier League this weekend were Alisson, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino at Liverpool; Ederson and Gabriel Jesus at Manchester City; Thiago Silva at Chelsea; and Fred at Manchester United.

United also has Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani available and Watford can field Chile defender Francisco Sierralta against Wolverhampton on Saturday.

The Premier League teams had said that if players went, they then would have to spend 10 days in hotel quarantine upon their return and have little chance of training.