Everton face losing Richarlison for two Premier League games after FIFA rule change

Everton face the prospect of being without Richarlison for two Premier League matches next month.

The 23-year-old was last week named in the Brazil squad for their upcoming trio of World Cup qualifiers against Chile, Argentina and Peru.

However, FIFA earlier this year ended the temporary exemption rule allowing clubs to prevent players being released for international duty.

That ruling was brought in should travel restrictions be imposed or there be a mandatory period of quarantine or self-isolation of at least five days on a players return from an international match.

But as reported by the ECHO on Monday morning, it has now emerged that the ruling has returned to its previous stance before the pandemic struck.

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And now as a result of the current UK Government travel restrictions, Richarlison would be forced to quarantine upon his return to the UK.

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Brazil is currently on the Government’s red list for countries, meaning anyone arriving from the country faces a 10-day quarantine in a hotel.

And with Brazil’s final game against Peru not taking place until 1.30am UK time on Friday, September 10, Richarlison would miss his side’s games against Burnley and Aston Villa due to quarantining.

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Brazil play two more games in October, and should restrictions remain the same, Richarlison would miss the game against West Ham, and, depending on when he returned to the UK, possibly the clash against his former club Watford.

A host of other Premier League clubs are also likely to be disrupted by the change in the rules.

Richarlison was instrumental in helping Everton to an opening day win over Southampton at Goodison Park at the weekend.

The winger cancelled out Adam Armstrong’s equaliser before he crossed for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to make it 3-1 after Abdoulaye Doucoure had fired the Blues ahead.