Brazil star Roberto Firmino reacts to a missed chance during their 2018 World Cup game against Switzerland at Rostov Arena in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, June 17, 2018. /CFP
Liverpool could finally breathe a great sigh of relief. As the reigning Premier League champions are bracing themselves for a must-win game against Manchester City on Sunday, FIFA confirmed that it has relaxed a rule over player release that frees clubs from obligations to release all players to national teams during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The Bureau of the FIFA Council has decided to provide additional flexibility regarding the release of players for national team duty and the registration of players with clubs in competitions that remain disrupted by the pandemic," FIFA said in a statement on Friday.
The world governing body of football added that clubs, who are bound by regulations to release players for international duty, don't need to release players if they are expected to travel to countries that impose mandatory quarantine or self-isolation for at least five days upon arrival.
Liverpool's Roberto Firmino, Alisson Becker and Fabinho (L-R) celebrate with the Premier League trophy at Anfield in Liverpool, England, July 22, 2020. /CFP
According to the UK rules, anyone returning from a "red list" country, which includes all of South America and parts of southern Africa, will need to quarantine in a hotel for 10 days. Elite sports stars are not exempt from the rules.
Under such circumstances, Liverpool's Brazilian trio of Alisson, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino could all be allowed to stay in the Premier League and thus avoiding the hassle of traveling to South America to participate in at least two rounds of World Cup qualifiers.
It is obviously good news for Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp as the trio were vital members of his league winning side last term and could play an important role in arresting the Red's current form.
However, Brazil could be exasperated by the new development. Firmino, Chelsea's Thiago Silva, Manchester City duo Ederson and Gabriel Jesus along with Everton's Richarlison, all started Brazil's last qualifier away to Uruguay in November 2020, but all could miss their next home game against arch-rivals Argentina on March 31 as a result of FIFA's new rules.
Brazil captain Thiago Silva celebrates victory following their 2018 World Cup clash with Mexico at Samara Arena in Samara, Russia, July 2, 2018. /CFP
FIFA insisted that the temporary amendments are necessary measures amid the pandemic, adding "together with the confederations and member associations, we will continue to monitor the situation across the world, working together with them to ensure the health of all involved in upcoming international matches."
Meanwhile, Serie A club Napoli announced that their key defenders Kalidou Koulibaly and Faouzi Ghoulam have both tested positive for COVID-19.
It represented another blow to Napoli, who already lost the club's record scorer Dries Mertens to injury. Captain Lorenzo Insigne also limped off during their Italian Cup semifinal first-leg clash with Atlanta with a calf problem.