Jim White shares instant reaction as FIFA impose Raphinha ban on Leeds United
Jim White has delivered his instant reaction to the news that Leeds United are banned from selecting Raphinha versus Liverpool on Sunday.
The Times claim Leeds will risk possible sanctions if they do not abide by this sanction at Elland Road this weekend after Brazil complained to FIFA about their Premier League contingent not being released for international duty this month.
FIFA have imposed a five-day ban for Brazilians at five Premier League clubs, as detailed by White on talkSPORT [08/09/21].
He said: “Liverpool are affected, Manchester City are affected, Leeds United, Chelsea, with the likes of Roberto Firmino, Fred, Raphinha and Thiago Silva. Brazil are saying ‘FIFA, do your worst, don’t let them play for their clubs this weekend’.”
Simon Jordan responded: “I fail to see how that argument stacks up, because if you summoned those players they’d have had to quarantine for 14 days and they wouldn’t be allowed to play those games, and when they come back to the UK, they’d have to quarantine for another 10 days, because of the UK regulations.
“It just doesn’t make any sense, there was no point calling those players up.”
White added: “They’re key players for these clubs, of that there’s no doubt. Firmino, Raphinha.”
There is one upside…
Clearly, this is a big blow for Marcelo Bielsa and Leeds supporters.
Fans want to see one of, if not the, best player at the club, strutting his stuff on home soil against one of Europe’s elite.
That has now been taken away from them by the world’s governing body, but it will arguably affect the visitors even more.
Liverpool will be shorn of the services of Alisson, Firmino and Fabinho, three crucial players.
That’s their goalkeeper, holding midfielder and centre-forward.
Diogo Jota is a more than adequate replacement for Firmino while Jordan Henderson can slot into Fabinho’s position and allow Thiago Alcantara to start in midfield.
However, the main area of concern for Jurgen Klopp is in goal as he will likely be forced to field the inexperienced Caoimhin Kelleher.
The 22-year-old has made just two Premier League appearances for the Reds, and the Whites will be looking to test him at every opportunity in West Yorkshire.
In other Leeds United news, Laura Woods & Darren Bent debate ‘Disrespectful’ Whites ace online commotion.