Leeds United expect to have Raphinha available post international break
Leeds United are expecting to have Raphinha’s services to count on for the October 16 game against Southampton, according to Graham Smyth.
The Yorkshire Evening Post journalist has stated that Raphinha, who has been called up for the Brazil squad, could be omitted from the mandatory 10-day quarantine despite his arrival from a red list country.
He will instead quarantine either at a club facility or a hotel chosen by Leeds, while being allowed out for games or training sessions.
The report quotes a UK government spokesperson as saying, “Our best defence against the virus is vaccination and these new measures will allow fully vaccinated players to fulfil their international duties in the safest, most practical way possible, while allowing them to train and play with their clubs as early as possible upon their return.”
Common sense prevails
We all remember the drama that was caused after the last international break.
Leeds, like many other clubs, did not allow their players to travel to red list countries, in a view to avoid having them ruled out for the next two games due to mandatory quarantines.
While most countries understood their plight, Brazil decided to create a nuisance and their FA even threatened to ban the players that did not make the trip.
However, that did not work out and Raphinha was deemed eligible to play against Liverpool.
Brazil remain in the red list, but the government has relaxed its rules for the players now so clubs can now release their players for international duty.
It makes perfect sense as the players are tested from time to time and can live inside a bubble while attend training sessions and games, making it an ideal scenario.
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