Leeds United blocked from selecting Raphinha v Liverpool on Sunday
Raphina will miss Sunday’s clash with Liverpool after Leeds United were informed by FIFA that he is unavailable to be selected for a five-day period.
That’s according to The Times, who claim Leeds will risk possible sanctions if they do not abide by this sanction.
The issue has arisen after six Premier League clubs refused to release their Brazilian players for the September international break due to quarantine fears on their return from South America.
The Brazil Football Association has asked FIFA to enforce rules which will prevent the players in question from featuring for their club sides in the Premier League this weekend.
As such, Leeds will be shorn of the services of Raphinha at Elland Road on Sunday, while visitors Liverpool will be without Alisson, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino.
Madness
This looks to be a ludicrous decision by the world’s governing body.
Tongues have been sent wagging in recent days after a big row erupted from Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Argentina on Sunday.
The game between the South American rivals was abandoned after eight minutes in Sao Paulo on Sunday with Brazilian health officials demanding the removal of four Argentina players who had flouted quarantine rules.
It was said that players that come from England must quarantine for 14 days on their arrival to Brazil.
As such, it makes it all the more remarkable that FIFA have banned Premier League clubs for blocking the release of their Brazilian players.
Had they been allowed to go to Brazil, they wouldn’t have been able to play anyway, given the quarantine rules.
So the very fear held by the clubs has come true, yet FIFA have still seen fit to sanction the English clubs?
It’s bizarre, and we await to hear Leeds’ response to this.
In other Leeds United news, Laura Woods & Darren Bent debate ‘Disrespectful’ Whites ace online commotion.