Miguel Almiron should not be available for Newcastle United against Manchester United in two ways.
The two clubs will play on Saturday 11 September at 3 p.m., not on live TV, for the kick-off in the UK.
The first count was due to the fact that FIFA extended the international window in September for South American countries by two days so that they can play an additional (third) World Cup qualifier next month to make up for the games they lost to Covid. Paraguay will play at home on the night of Thursday 9 September which means Miguel Almiron may have returned to UK / Tyneside at the earliest, which was sometime on the actual day (Saturday 11 September) of the game against Man Utd.
However, the second and more serious count would have resulted in Miguel Almiron missing out on playing Man Utd AND other games as he had to be quarantined on his return to the UK as well. Paraguay plays against Equador away and two home games, with both Equador and Paraguay currently on the red list, which amounts to quarantine.
However, the Premier League has acted as a unit and after failing to obtain an exemption for players who played in a redlisted country after the UK in September, they have now unanimously decided NOT to allow players to play international matches in redlisted countries in September .
The official announcement of the Premier League (see below) states that almost 60 players will be banned from traveling to Red List countries in the next month. While Miguel Almiron was / is one of them, it remains to be seen whether other Newcastle players will be affected.
This is a pretty massive deal, the richest and most powerful national league going up against FIFA by taking the massive move of banning players from playing for their countries.
There has always been conflict / friction between clubs and countries when it comes to club versus country so it will be interesting to see how FIFA reacts to that.
Official announcement of the Premier League:
“The clubs of the Premier League decided today reluctantly but unanimously not to allow players to play for international matches in countries on the Red List next month.
The club’s decision, strongly supported by the Premier League, applies to nearly 60 players from 19 Premier League clubs who will travel to 26 Red List countries in September.
This follows the current position of FIFA not to extend the exemption for the temporary release of players who must be quarantined after their return from the international match.
Extensive discussions have been held with both the FA and the government to find a solution, but no exemption has been granted due to ongoing public health concerns regarding travelers arriving from red list countries.
Quarantine upon return from Red List countries would not only have a significant impact on the well-being and fitness of the players, but they would also not be available to prepare for two rounds of the Premier League, a matchday of a UEFA club competition and the third round and to play the EFL Cup.
This period takes into account 10 days of hotel quarantine when returning to England, but does not include any additional time players would need to regain their gaming fitness.
Richard Masters, Chief Executive of the Premier League said: “Premier League clubs have always supported the desire of their players to represent their country – this is a matter of pride for everyone involved. The clubs, however, reluctantly, but rightly, came to the conclusion that it would be completely unreasonable to release players in these new circumstances.
“Quarantine requirements mean that the wellbeing and fitness of players will be seriously affected. We understand the challenges of the international game calendar and remain open to practicable solutions. “
The clubs also shared their dissatisfaction with FIFA’s decision to extend CONMEBOL’s international window by two days from nine to eleven days in September and October.
This places additional international obligations on players from this region at the expense of their availability to represent their clubs.
FIFA has been asked to work with all stakeholders to ensure that a consensual conclusion can be reached on this issue. ‘
