The Premier League clubs will not release players for World Cup qualifiers in those countries that are on the British government's red list due to the corona pandemic.

"Reluctantly, but unanimously" the clubs decided to do so on Tuesday, announced the league association.

The decision affects almost 60 players from 19 Premier League clubs, who are supposed to travel to 26 countries on the Red List in September.

Most of the countries in South America and Africa are on the red list.

People entering from these countries have to go into hotel quarantine for ten days.

The next qualifying matches for the World Cup in Qatar will take place from September 2nd to 10th.

No exceptions

In the run-up to the decision, extensive discussions had been held both with the national football association (FA) and with the government with the aim of obtaining special permits.

"But due to ongoing public health concerns related to incoming travelers from Red List countries, no exemption has been granted," said the Premier League.

The teams now argue that a ten-day quarantine would not only significantly affect the well-being and fitness of the players.

They are also not available for preparation for two game days of the championship, a European Cup game day and the third round of the national EFL Cup.

"The Premier League clubs have always supported the desire of their players to represent their country - this is a matter of pride for everyone involved," said managing director Richard Masters.

Under these circumstances, however, it is unreasonable to release players.

Spain also wants to refuse deployment

The Spanish professional league meanwhile also wants to support all football clubs in the country that decide not to release any players for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in South America. Unlike the clubs in the Premier League, LaLiga does not give the corona pandemic as the reason. One could not accept the "serious unilateral decision" of the world association FIFA to extend the period of suspension for South America by two to a total of eleven days, it said in a statement published late on Tuesday evening. If necessary, legal action will be taken against it.

The professionals concerned would not be available to their teams because of the extension on the game day scheduled for September 11th and 12th, it said.

So far, 13 clubs have been affected by the problem, which would have to release a total of 25 players.

This number could even increase after the pending announcement of the cadres of Ecuador and Venezuela.

The professional league wants to summon the clubs concerned to a crisis meeting in the next few days to coordinate the procedure.

The extension of the storage period for the World Cup qualifiers in South America also applies to the international break at the beginning of October.

Bundesliga clubs would also be affected.