Villa Players on International Duty - Covid impacts

[BC54 VFC]

Simon Jordan mentioned any Brasil players called up from England would have to isolate for ten days anyway, so what's the point of going

He's wrong. Brazilian nationals are exempt from that rule. Hence Willian started training with his new club more or less as soon as he arrived from Arsenal.

Correct.

[Footy-Vill]

Smith officially said Buendia and Martinez
"They are over in Croatia. We spoke with the authorities to make sure it was the right thing to do. They’re training over there, working hard to get ready for Everton next week."

[Skerra]

I see that both Brazil and Argentina both won their games comfortably, even without our contingent.

[Dave]

Thiago Silva out of Villa game. Brazil have banned all the players who refused to go with the exception of Richarlison as thanks for releasing him for the Olympics when they didn't have to.

Although it helps us thats very bitter by the  Brazilians.

Don't think he's played for Chelsea yet this season, so he's probably not someone they're really relying on.

[CT]

Thiago Silva out of Villa game. Brazil have banned all the players who refused to go with the exception of Richarlison as thanks for releasing him for the Olympics when they didn't have to.

Although it helps us thats very bitter by the  Brazilians.

Don't think he's played for Chelsea yet this season, so he's probably not someone they're really relying on.

Apparently no one will miss any games today now, apart from our two of course.

[cdbearsfan]

And Tottenham. Still bollocks though, isn't it?

[Somniloquism]

Definite bollocks that FIFA decided to override their own rules after the fact.

I saw a mention that more countries were being added to the UK Red list the other day. I'm half expecting Croatia to be one of them.

[eamonn]

I see that both Brazil and Argentina both won their games comfortably, even without our contingent.

What are you....trying to say...?

[Scott Nielsen]

Haven't seen this mentioned but our boys were training with Hajduk Split while in Croatia so maybe it was all a bit better planned out than we have given the club credit for.

[Footy-Vill]

Plans to resolve football’s club-versus-country crisis were branded the “worst possible solution” on Wednesday night after the Government refused to halve the time spent in coronavirus quarantine by players returning from red-list countries.

Ministers on Wednesday agreed to relax travel restrictions for next month’s World Cup qualifiers by allowing those involved to avoid isolating for 10 days in a designated hotel upon their return.

But it was made clear players would still have to spend a full week and a half in supervised quarantine and would only be allowed outside to train and play.

The Premier League had put forward a plan to Government that would have seen affected players spend five days in club bubbles where their Covid status could be checked.

But that was rejected by ministers, who were also planning to exclude those not fully vaccinated against Covid-19 from any easing of the rules.

A source at one of the worst affected clubs told Telegraph Sport: “This so-called solution is ridiculous. The clubs involved in the process think anything longer than five days is no solution at all – it’s as unreasonable as it is unworkable.

“The Premier League has clearly been unable to exert any meaningful influence on this discussion.”

Under the Government plan, eligible players would spend 10 days quarantining in a secured private residence or hotel – with 24-hour security.

They would be permitted no guests or visitors other than Public Health England, with meals to be dropped at the door, and would be required to use private, individual transport going to and from training and games.

“To be honest, this feels like the worst possible solution,” the club source added. “A ‘solution’ in name only. More accurately, an unworkable, impractical mess.”

A failure to strike a deal over the red-list row could witness a repeat of clubs’ refusal this month to release players for international duty.

That had seen them face being banned by Fifa from fielding those players, a threat that only subsided after the Government agreed to consider relaxing red-list rules.

Even a halving of the quarantine period for players returning from affected countries would not prevent many missing their clubs’ next match after the upcoming international break.

Brazil, Argentina and other countries in the Americas play three matches in that period, the last of which kick-off in the early hours of the morning of Friday October 15 UK time.

That would deprive many Premier League clubs of some of their best players when they return to action the following afternoon.

The same club source said talks to avoid this could not begin until the quarantine issue was resolved

[Footy-Vill]

The government and football authorities have agreed a deal that will allow full vaccinated players to travel to red list countries for international duty without having to quarantine on their return to the UK.

This will be subject to a code of conduct which includes restrictions on transport, close contact, and stringent protocols on testing, vaccination and bubbles.

A government spokesperson said: "We have worked closely with football authorities to achieve an outcome that balances the interests of both club and country while maintaining the highest levels of public health and safety.

"Our best defence against the virus is vaccination and these new measures will allow fully vaccinated players to fulfill their international duties in the safest, most practical way possible, while allowing them to train and play with their clubs as early as possible upon their return."

[Drummond]

I guess now we'll find out who's been vaccinated and who hasn't.

[Towser]

Looks like our guys have been double jabbed then.

Ashley Preece
@PreeceObserver
Dean Smith confirmed via Sky Sports that those travelling to red-list countries - Martinez, Nakamba & Traore - have been double-jabbed. Govt now confirm double-jabbed players can fulfil international matches, with Martinez, Nakamba & Traore all OK to return for #avfc vs Wolves

[Risso]

Good news!

[darren woolley]

That's great news.