CONMEBOL asks FIFA to protect members after virus delays

CONMEBOL on Tuesday urged FIFA to protect its member federations after the delay of South America’s latest round of World Cup qualifiers over coronavirus restrictions.

There were meant to be two rounds of CONMEBOL qualifiers this week but the governing body called them off.

This was because several European clubs threatened not to release their players, fearing they would be subject to COVID-19 quarantine rules and thereby miss club games.

Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp of Liverpool had threatened to prevent players from flying overseas for internationals should they be required to quarantine on their return.

“We’re asking president Gianni Infantino and FIFA to keep working eagerly to protect our associations and our football,” said CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez during the federation’s annual congress in Paraguay on Tuesday.

“We’re the only confederation in the world that maintained its qualification format and it’s because we adhere to the motto of ‘clear rules’ and that’s why we understand matches must be decided on the field of play.”

However, world football’s governing body chief Infantino, who took part in the virtual meeting, said it would be tough to find a solution to the competing interests between Europe and South America.

All 10 South American countries remain on the UK government’s red list of nations for which strict travel restrictions apply.

UK-based players returning from those countries are subject to 10 days quarantine upon their return meaning they could miss up to three club matches.

Other countries such as France also currently employ travel restrictions that would affect returning footballers.

ARR