FIFA's threat to the Premier League after not releasing players to the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers in Qatar

Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, responded to the concern of Alejandro Domínguez, president of Conmebol, about the possibility that England and Spain, the Premier League and La Liga will not give up their players for the triple World Cup qualifying date from Qatar. The world football boss was clear and in the statement he stated that according to the decision made by the FIFA Council Bureau that clubs are obliged to comply with the release of footballers.

What does the statement say?

The FIFA president stated: "First of all, it is appropriate to highlight that the decision adopted by the FIFA Council Bureau on the 5th of currents is fully valid (...), therefore, it becomes effective and mandatory for the member associations as well as for their respective affiliated clubs ".

What does Infantino think about it?

Based on the foregoing, Infantino emphasizes that FIFA, in the face of this, stands firm in the interpretation and execution of the rules and above all that "FIFA will proceed to reiterate to the respective member associations and affected clubs the regulatory bases to which they are submitted, as well as will make them participate in the consequences of their possible non-compliance, "the statement concluded.

La Liga´s statement

La Liga, for its part, this Tuesday issued a statement protesting against giving footballers to the Conmebol Qualifiers because FIFA has modified and extended the days of the Qualifiers and that according to them they say "that the world calendar cannot nor should it be modified in this way, especially if there are alternative solutions".

"LaLiga, through the World Leagues Forum, has already expressed its discomfort in the face of this situation and in the absence of sensitivity towards the clubs, on an issue, such as the international calendar, which is set and agreed 4 years in advance and to which the national leagues have already adapted taking into account the circumstances of the COVID, but always in a manner agreed upon by all the parties involved, "the Spanish entity's statement closed.

How much does it affect the Premier to release the players?

On this triple qualifying date, there will be 273 players distributed among the 10 teams seeking their place in Qatar 2022. Of that large number of players, only 19 of them play in the Premier League, that is, 7% of the total. However, Brazil, so far, is one of the great harmed by this decision that we will see as it continues, since it has stars such as Richarlison, Firmino, Fabinho, Thiago Silva, goalkeepers Ederson and Allison who perhaps would not be there.