Emi Martinez

[Drummond]

I think they should go and play the internationals. In fact I think all clubs should be forced to release players for competitive matches. The Premier League however, should make allowances for teams that lose players as a result.

It's annoying, and I put club above country but for players, representing your country is so important. Its what most dream of, rather than playing a league game. (the chumps league does cloud that a bit more these days)

The conflicting messages aren't good though.

[aj2k77]

So when will Martinez and the rest likely to be back?

[Demitri_C]

What happens then if we miss two players for Everton game lose that game then come end of season we miss europe by one point? It could cause massive implications.

I mean if thats the agreement made then the argentinian fa need to stand by it. Its not like they playing brazil. Its bloody Bolivia. Argentina will wipe the floor with them

[LukeJames]

What happens then if we miss two players for Everton game lose that game then come end of season we miss europe by one point? It could cause massive implications.

The twitter universe would break due to the amount of bellends self combusting with Sheffield United and Goal line technology references.

[richtheholtender]

What happens then if we miss two players for Everton game lose that game then come end of season we miss europe by one point? It could cause massive implications.

I mean if thats the agreement made then the argentinian fa need to stand by it. Its not like they playing brazil. Its bloody Bolivia. Argentina will wipe the floor with them

Well miss out on Europe then the same players who missed the game will most likely want to leave for a club in Europe.... similar to rat boy. Funny old world isn't it

[PaulWinch again]

It’s fucking irritating that we’re facing into this, but it does make it even more odd that we didn’t strengthen the squad more.

[Risso]

Does anybody think that they’d have gone if they were at a top four club with expectations of challenging for the title?

[Demitri_C]

Nope.

[KNVillan]

Apparently FIFA are being pushed to penalise clubs who don’t release players

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/12397060/premier-league-clubs-could-face-possible-fifa-sanctions-after-blocking-players-from-call-ups-to-red-list-countires

We all know how that will work out, don’t we?

[Brazilian Villain]

Does anybody think that they’d have gone if they were at a top four club with expectations of challenging for the title?

Yes.

Maybe Buendia would have stayed if he was the only Argentine at B6 but Martinez strikes me as someone who's both very proud to represent his country (rightly so) and not inclined to take No for an answer.

[Sexual Ealing]

The fact that they're due to play Brazil can't be underestimated, nor can the fact that there are FIFA regs that suggest the PL's ban isn't legitimate.

[Risso]

The fact that they're due to play Brazil can't be underestimated, nor can the fact that there are FIFA regs that suggest the PL's ban isn't legitimate.

The punishment for breaking the rules is a lot less severe than them actually playing. 5 day ban after the international window ends rather than 10 days in isolation. Not that I think that any punishment will be handed out to Liverpool etc.

[LukeJames]

Apparently FIFA are being pushed to penalise clubs who don’t release players

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/12397060/premier-league-clubs-could-face-possible-fifa-sanctions-after-blocking-players-from-call-ups-to-red-list-countires

We all know how that will work out, don’t we?

The best thing about that article is Chile having a player called Ben Brereton.

[cdbearsfan]

Didn't Bosnich get banned from playing for us when he turned down an Australian cap? I seem to recall that being another rule that only ever applied to Villa such as O'Leary's tapping up censure.

[Brazilian Villain]

The best thing about that article is Chile having a player called Ben Brereton.

It's a bit like England having a player called Declan, just seems weird.

Brereton's story was featured on Football Focus a couple of weeks ago and IIRC his mother is Chilean. Apparently he's a bit of a celeb now in Chile endorsing the likes of Pepsi etc. despite not speaking Spanish. Also I think Tony Mowbray's become famous there as they find his interviews amusing.