(Football news) Before the international break, Premier League clubs had unanimously agreed not to release players to red list countries for international duties due to COVID-19 rules in England. Despite that, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa allowed Emi Martinez, Emiliano Buendia, Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso. 

The players going to red list countries will miss the first game after the international break due to quarantine rules in England. Chelsea's Thiago Silva posted a picture on instagram with a text translated as “Do I really have to say anything?” and a GIF of someone’s hands being tied. Silva along with Brazilian teammates Allison, Ederson, Fabinho, Roberto Firmino, Raphinha and Fred were all called up for the important World Cup qualification matches but weren't allowed to go. Uruguay's Edinson Cavani also expressed his disappointment at the situation saying "We are exposed to decisions that are made in the organizations of some tournaments and leagues and any of the two decisions (traveling or not) would be bad for us," 

Also read: Hungary is a hotbed for racism on football grounds and governing bodies must unite to tackle this issue

The Brazil and Chile football associations have asked FIFA to take actions against the clubs. FIFA may choose to suspend the players from the matches they would've missed had they been rightly sent for International duty. The major problem with that is the players were the ones who unwillingly missed a match due to their clubs and with the punishment as well the players would be the ones who miss a match. 

FIFA might have to find a way to punish the clubs as a statement. Clubs having a problem with players leaving for international duty is not a new thing and certainly is not an issue started in the COVID-19 era. Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson are the two managers who were very vocal about the international fixture constraints. Mourinho last year even accused England manager Gareth Southgate of favouritism for starting a few players and benching others in friendlies because of pressure from other clubs.

A one match suspension for the players is not something players want at this stage. FIFA needs to come up with a better solution in these testing times and prevent the clubs from blocking or influencing the decisions that players are supposed to take.