Relief as Brazilian Players Allowed to Play in the Premier League This Weekend After Last Minute Talks

Relief as Brazilian Players Allowed to Play in the Premier League This Weekend After Last Minute Talks

Rene Otinga
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:49 PM
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  • After last-minute talks, FIFA has cleared a string of Brazilian players to feature in the Premier League this weekend
  • The players were initially banned from playing as the Brazilian FA decided to apply Article 5 of the FIFA rule book
  • The rules state that players whose clubs failed to allow them to represent their countries during the international break should receive a five-day restriction
  • Liverpool and Manchester City are some of the biggest beneficiaries after the restrictions were waived

Football governing body FIFA has cleared players who were called up by South American nations including Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Paraguay during the international break to feature in the Premier League this weekend.

Alisson
The likes of Alisson and other Brazilian players were facing restrictions from playing this weekend. Photo by Andrew Powell.
Source: Getty Images

As TUKO.co.ke reported, FIFA had initially exercised Article 5 which sought to block Premier League clubs from playing players who they refused to travel to their respective countries for the international break.

This was following a request from the Brazilian Football Association.

The initial request came after Premier League sides unanimously agreed not to release players for the international break who belonged to countries considered hot spots for COVID-19 by the UK.

Ederson
Manchester City keeper Ederson is also eligible to play after a waiver by the Brazilian FA. Photo by Matt McNult.
Source: Getty Images

Extensive talks which were held at the last minute between FIFA the FA and the Premier League, the associations of Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Paraguay agreed to waive what would have been a five-day restriction against their players.

The resolution, according to Sky Sport, was reached on the night of Friday, September 10, just hours before kick-off.

Biggest beneficiaries of waiver

Several heavy hitters in the Premier League will breathe a sigh of relief following the latest move, thanks to some leniency from the Brazilian Football Association.

2019/2020 Premier League champions Liverpool will in particular be thankful as they will be able to play goalkeeper Ederson, striker Roberto Firmino and midfielder Fabinho.

Manchester City were looking at a potential crisis in the goalkeeper position but they will now have the luxury of featuring their talented shop stopper Ederson, who recently signed a new deal with the club.

Chelsea will have Thiago Silva at their disposal while Manchester United can now choose Fred in the midfield position. Leeds will also breathe a sigh of relief as they are now able to play midfielder Raphinha.

Cristiano Ronaldo ready for Newcastle showdown

Elsewhere, Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed he was ready to clinch silverware as he gears up for his second debut in a Manchester United shirt.

The Portuguese superstar he wants to add to his medals of league titles, his five Champions League trophies and an attempt to win his sixth Ballon d'Or.

"This is why I am here. I am not here for a vacation," he said as per the club's website.
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Rene Otinga
Rene Otinga is a sports journalist with over eight years of working experience in digital media. Rene's experience includes working as a Copywriter at X News Kenya and TUKO.co.ke.
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