Salah, Messi others may miss World Cup qualifiers

 

Mohamed Salah, Lionel Messi and Emiliano Martinez are among the stars set to miss upcoming World Cup Qualifiers unless quarantine rules are lifted

European Club Association (ECA) members are set to prevent their players from going to ‘red-list’ countries during September’s international break unless quarantine exemptions can be made, with the Premier League currently in talks with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

Argentina, Brazil and Egypt are among the nations currently on the UK Government’s “red” list regarding travel to England, meaning a 10-day period of hotel isolation would be required before players can return to their clubs.

That would mean Mohamed Salah is unable to play Egypt’s World Cup Qualifier in Cairo against Angola on September 2, although the forward would be free to travel to play away in Gabon three days later.

Unless quarantine issues can be resolved, a host of other Premier League players may be unavailable for international matches next month, so too PSG stars Lionel Messi and Neymar.

The Government states those returning to England from a country on their “red” list must quarantine for 10 full days in a managed quarantine hotel and take a coronavirus test on or before day 2 and on or after day 8 of quarantining.

Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Turkey and Uruguay are among the others nations on the Government’s “red” list.

Brazil host Argentina in a World Cup Qualifier at the Maracana on September 5, and the ECA’s current reluctance could rule out several players from that match and a host of other games in South America.

Eight Premier League players were named in the upcoming Brazil squad, with Liverpool trio Alisson Becker, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino joined by Ederson and Gabriel Jesus (both Manchester City), Thiago Silva (Chelsea), Fred (Manchester United), Richarlison (Everton), Raphinha (Leeds United).

Paris Saint-Germain are also ECA members, meaning Messi, Neymar, as well as Marquinhos and Angel Di Maria could also miss out with Argentina and Brazil among the nations on France’s “red” list – the French government also operate a traffic-light system for travel.

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Despite talks between the Premier League and DCMS it is understood that no agreement has been reached over exemptions for players.