Leeds United winger Raphinha has been given the green light to play against Liverpool this weekend - YEP 10/9/21
By Joe Urquhart
The 24-year-old Brazilian's involvement in Premier League
action was in major doubt after his home nation asked FIFA to enforce a
five-day ban on eight English-based players who failed to turn up for
international duty.
Raphinha was handed a first call up by head coach Tite for
the Seleção this month but was unable to travel for the World Cup qualifiers
due to current Covid-19 restrictions in place.
Brazil is currently on the UK government's red-list and
playing for his country would have meant a period of extended quarantine upon
his return.
Top flight clubs unanimously agreed to halt players from
travelling to South America over the September break in fear of losing them for
upcoming domestic games - though Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur both saw
players represent Argentina.
The move saw Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Paraguay look to
enforce Article 5 which FIFA had invoked to stop players featuring for their
clubs in the immediate aftermath of the dedicated period for international
games.
After several days of uncertainty, it now appears the
governing bodies have all relented and waived their right to the suspension
according to widespread media reports, which will see Premier League players
made available for action this weekend without the fear of facing any
sanctions.
Marcelo Bielsa's side will once again be able to call upon
Raphinha for Sunday's hosting of Liverpool while the Reds can select first
choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker and midfielder Fabinho.
Another of Jurgen Klopp's Brazilian contingent, Roberto
Firmino, will be absent regardless in LS11 due to an injury picked up against
Chelsea.
United's head coach said on Friday during his pre-match
press conference that he would take advice from the club before taking any
decision over whether to field Raphinha.
Bielsa, though, will face no such issue after a late
breakthrough in talks between FIFA, the Premier League, the English Football
Association and South America's governing football bodies.
