Newcastle boss Steve Bruce hopes ‘common sense prevails’ over quarantine restrictions
A club-versus-country row could develop due to travel restrictions
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce has called for “common sense” as a club-versus-country row threatens to develop over the upcoming international window.
A number of clubs are concerned about players having to quarantine on their return to the UK if they are released to play matches in countries currently on the government’s ‘red’ travel list.
Bruce has suggested it would be “highly unlikely” that Paraguay forward Miguel Almiron would be allowed to travel to South America for World Cup qualifiers next month.
As Paraguay is a country currently on the red list, Almiron would need to quarantine for 10 days in a managed hotel after flying back to Britain.
The Egyptian Football Association has already confirmed that Liverpool will not be allowing Mohamed Salah to join up with his country’s squad for their clash with Angola in Cairo because of red-list restrictions.
Liverpool also have three Brazilians in Alisson Becker, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino, who could be affected and Bruce says a number of players throughout the Premier League will be impacted.
Bruce said at a press conference: “I think we are taking advice from the Premier League. The clubs are speaking about it because obviously it affects them.
“The one thing you can’t do is let him [Almiron] go and come back and then expect him to stay in a hotel for 10 days because then he’ll miss probably three games for us on his return.
“It is a bit of a common concern. Let’s hope, with all these things, common sense prevails. I think you would be highly unlikely to send your players to a red country.
“It is a difficult situation for everyone concerned but we were aware of it. We were already talking to the Premier League and other Premier League bosses about how to go about it.
“Liverpool obviously have an issue with three or four. I think it affects something like 60 players. Let’s hope common sense prevails.”
The problem is exacerbated by the recent decision of world governing body Fifa to extend the September and October international windows in South America by two days to catch up on postponed fixtures.
The PA news agency understands talks are ongoing between football authorities at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport over whether quarantine exemptions can be obtained for players. Some exemptions were granted for certain individuals coming into the UK for the Euro 2020 final last month.