News / National
Nakamba to miss Bafana showdown
25 Aug 2021 at 06:42hrs | Views
MARVELOUS NAKAMBA is now certainly out of the Warriors' 2022 World Cup qualifier against South Africa, next week. The English Premiership revealed they will not release any players for matches set for countries on the United Kingdom's Covid-19 red-list.
South African star, Percy Tau, who is on the books of Brighton & Hove, will also not be allowed to fly for his country's match, against Zimbabwe, and at home against Ghana's Black Stars. Zambian internationals, Enock Mwepu (Brighton & Hove) and Leicester City forward, Patson Daka, will also be barred from travelling for their team's qualifiers.
While Nakamba will be allowed to travel to Ethiopia, for the Warriors' second game, it's unlikely to be possible, given the two matches will be played within a period of just three days.
Liverpool's decision, to block four of their stars, including Mohamed Salah, from next month's World Cup qualifiers, was likely to trigger a wave of chaos. It's also likely that Wigan Athletic captain, Tendayi Darikwa, Bournemouth's emerging star, Jordan Zemura, Admiral Muskwe of Luton Town, Plymouth Argyle's Brendan Galloway and David Moyo, of Scottish side Hamilton Academical, could all be barred from playing in the four games. Yesterday, the English Premier League revealed they will not release any players for international matches taking place in countries placed on the UK's Covid-19 red-list.
England's top-flight league said all 20 clubs ''reluctantly but unanimously,'' made the decision in a meeting and that the division's bosses ''strongly supported'' the call made by the teams. Sixty players from 19 clubs were set to be released to 26 countries placed in the highest category of UK travel restrictions but those players now cannot represent their country if they, or the teams they are playing, are hosting games in red-list zones.
The Monday meeting came after Manchester City were said to be taking same drastic measures as Liverpool and bar their players from taking part in next month's World Cup qualifiers in red-list countries.
Ederson and Gabriel Jesus will not be allowed to play for Brazil, a dramatic move just days on from Liverpool also stopping Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Alisson and Fabinho from travelling. Each of the players would have touched down in a country on the UK's red-list, resulting in a period of quarantine on their return to their clubs. This would have seen them staying in a hotel for 10 days, and missing matches.
The Premier League's statement is bad news for Brazil, who will now not be able to welcome any Premier League players into their squad as all of their September matches are due to take place, in red-list zones.
Premier League chief executive, Richard Masters, said: ''Premier League clubs have always supported their players' desires to represent their countries — this is a matter of pride for all concerned.
''However, clubs have reluctantly but rightly come to the conclusion that it would be entirely unreasonable to release players under these new circumstances.
''Quarantine requirements mean that players' welfare and fitness will be significantly impacted. We understand the challenges that exist in the international match calendar and remain open to workable solutions.''
Premier League chiefs were lobbying the British Government for exemptions to restrictions.
As reported by Sportsmail, they met with senior figures at the Department of Media, Culture and Sport to make their case. The Government were aware of the financial benefits that the Premier League brings to the country, but were also mindful that giving the green light for exemptions would undoubtedly lead to accusations of double-standards.
The Liverpool and Manchester City players going to relist countries would have missed up to four games upon returning from the qualifiers — including two Premier League fixtures, one round of Carabao Cup games and also the opening group stage clashes in the Champions League. Miguel Almiron is among those who would have been forced into quarantine should he play for Paraguay.
Leeds' Raphinha, Fred of Manchester United, Everton forward Richarlison and Chelsea's Thiago Silva were also among the 60 players.
Tottenham and Aston Villa stars Cristian Romero, Giovani Lo Celso, Emiliano Martinez and Emiliano Buendia were all included in Argentina's squad for their World Cup qualifiers.
FIFA, scrapped the temporary rule that allowed clubs to refuse to release players, who were set for more than five days of quarantine, from international duty.
UK Covid red-list
Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Congo (Democratic Republic), Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, French Guiana, Georgia, Guyana, Haiti, Indonesia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Maldives, Mayotte, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Réunion, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe
South African star, Percy Tau, who is on the books of Brighton & Hove, will also not be allowed to fly for his country's match, against Zimbabwe, and at home against Ghana's Black Stars. Zambian internationals, Enock Mwepu (Brighton & Hove) and Leicester City forward, Patson Daka, will also be barred from travelling for their team's qualifiers.
While Nakamba will be allowed to travel to Ethiopia, for the Warriors' second game, it's unlikely to be possible, given the two matches will be played within a period of just three days.
Liverpool's decision, to block four of their stars, including Mohamed Salah, from next month's World Cup qualifiers, was likely to trigger a wave of chaos. It's also likely that Wigan Athletic captain, Tendayi Darikwa, Bournemouth's emerging star, Jordan Zemura, Admiral Muskwe of Luton Town, Plymouth Argyle's Brendan Galloway and David Moyo, of Scottish side Hamilton Academical, could all be barred from playing in the four games. Yesterday, the English Premier League revealed they will not release any players for international matches taking place in countries placed on the UK's Covid-19 red-list.
England's top-flight league said all 20 clubs ''reluctantly but unanimously,'' made the decision in a meeting and that the division's bosses ''strongly supported'' the call made by the teams. Sixty players from 19 clubs were set to be released to 26 countries placed in the highest category of UK travel restrictions but those players now cannot represent their country if they, or the teams they are playing, are hosting games in red-list zones.
The Monday meeting came after Manchester City were said to be taking same drastic measures as Liverpool and bar their players from taking part in next month's World Cup qualifiers in red-list countries.
Ederson and Gabriel Jesus will not be allowed to play for Brazil, a dramatic move just days on from Liverpool also stopping Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Alisson and Fabinho from travelling. Each of the players would have touched down in a country on the UK's red-list, resulting in a period of quarantine on their return to their clubs. This would have seen them staying in a hotel for 10 days, and missing matches.
The Premier League's statement is bad news for Brazil, who will now not be able to welcome any Premier League players into their squad as all of their September matches are due to take place, in red-list zones.
Premier League chief executive, Richard Masters, said: ''Premier League clubs have always supported their players' desires to represent their countries — this is a matter of pride for all concerned.
''However, clubs have reluctantly but rightly come to the conclusion that it would be entirely unreasonable to release players under these new circumstances.
''Quarantine requirements mean that players' welfare and fitness will be significantly impacted. We understand the challenges that exist in the international match calendar and remain open to workable solutions.''
Premier League chiefs were lobbying the British Government for exemptions to restrictions.
As reported by Sportsmail, they met with senior figures at the Department of Media, Culture and Sport to make their case. The Government were aware of the financial benefits that the Premier League brings to the country, but were also mindful that giving the green light for exemptions would undoubtedly lead to accusations of double-standards.
The Liverpool and Manchester City players going to relist countries would have missed up to four games upon returning from the qualifiers — including two Premier League fixtures, one round of Carabao Cup games and also the opening group stage clashes in the Champions League. Miguel Almiron is among those who would have been forced into quarantine should he play for Paraguay.
Leeds' Raphinha, Fred of Manchester United, Everton forward Richarlison and Chelsea's Thiago Silva were also among the 60 players.
Tottenham and Aston Villa stars Cristian Romero, Giovani Lo Celso, Emiliano Martinez and Emiliano Buendia were all included in Argentina's squad for their World Cup qualifiers.
FIFA, scrapped the temporary rule that allowed clubs to refuse to release players, who were set for more than five days of quarantine, from international duty.
UK Covid red-list
Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Congo (Democratic Republic), Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, French Guiana, Georgia, Guyana, Haiti, Indonesia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Maldives, Mayotte, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Réunion, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Source - the herald
