Emi Martinez

[cdbearsfan]

They went with the agreement of the club. The same seems to be the case with Nuno at Tottenham. Seems to me that if we had just said "you can't go" that they wouldn't have done so.

If Argentina decide to thank us for being more reasonable than all other clubs but one by fucking us over, then we should tell the players we expect them not to travel next time.

[dave.woodhall]

Maybe it was better to let them go, even if it does cost us a couple of points, and have two happier players for the rest of the season and beyond.

[cdbearsfan]

I get the logic of that and so wasn't unhappy with the compromise that would see them miss only one Villa game. There is a fine line between doing what's right for the players and being made to look like mugs, however, and we are in danger of slipping into the latter category if we have players missing half a dozen Villa matches while our rivals gain an advantage on us by preventing their players from travelling.

[Brazilian Villain]

Maybe it was better top let them go, even if it does cost us a couple of points, and have two happier players fo the rest of the season and beyond.

That's my view. Also bear in mind this is their first international get together since they won the Copa America (Messi's first trophy with Argentina) so I'd imagine they'd be keen to be a part of that plus there's a game against Brasil.

[Flin5tone]

Could end up out far longer with Covid/Covid laws. Stupid Decision which could come back to haunt us

[Drummond]

Maybe it was better top let them go, even if it does cost us a couple of points, and have two happier players fo the rest of the season and beyond.

Exactly. Playing for Argentina is the reason Martinez joined us.

[olaftab]

I will have no respect for any of our players who turn down a chance to represent their country for the sake of money. It’s what you are born for so do it.

[Ian.]

Maybe it was better top let them go, even if it does cost us a couple of points, and have two happier players fo the rest of the season and beyond.

Exactly. Playing for Argentina is the reason Martinez joined us.

Absolutely, he went out and said this, how has appreciated being here to give him that opportunity to play at the top level.

Surely having the very best players will always have its drawbacks, ie International call ups.

[JD]

I will have no respect for any of our players who turn down a chance to represent their country for the sake of money. It’s what you are born for so do it.

Well said, totally agree. If we sign top internationals, especially ones who are just starting out on their international careers, we should be supporting them when they want to represent their country.

   

[Toronto Villa]

This will also be the first games since winning Copa America with one being against Brazil. They wouldn’t want to miss that. They will miss the Bolivia game in Argentina which should be quite the celebration if they have fans in the stadium.

[Percy McCarthy]

They will miss the Bolivia game in Argentina which should be quite the celebration if they have fans in the stadium.

Not according to the Argentine FA.

[Toronto Villa]

They will miss the Bolivia game in Argentina which should be quite the celebration if they have fans in the stadium.

Not according to the Argentine FA.

Yeh I wasn’t sure what the COVID status was down there.

[Risso]

They will miss the Bolivia game in Argentina which should be quite the celebration if they have fans in the stadium.

Not according to the Argentine FA.

Yeh I wasn’t sure what the COVID status was down there.

Nothing to do with Covid really. The club have said that the players will only play two matches for Argentina. Argentina have said that they have to play all three, and have cited the Court for Arbitration in Sport’s decision against PSG, so I think they’ll be missing for a while yet.

[PaulWinch again]

How to national FA’s hold any power over the clubs, where the players are contracted?

[OCD]

I'm surprised the government hasn't given special dispensation for footballers as there seems to have been a different rule for them throughout all of this anyway.