Premier League sides stand firm in row with Brazil over releasing players to red-list countries

Premier League clubs are standing firm in the row with Brazil about releasing players for international duty in red-list countries — despite the threat of FIFA sanctions.

They have vowed not to change their stance, instructing players not to travel to South America so they are not ruled out of club fixtures later this month.

Nine Brazil players from six clubs — Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Everton and Leeds — were selected for this month’s World Cup Qualifiers in South America but told not to travel due to the strict 10-day quarantine upon their return. 

It was part of a 19-club Premier League pact, undermined when Aston Villa struck a deal for Argentinians Emi Martinez and Emi Buendia to play in the first two of three qualifiers. 

Tottenham’s Giovani Lo Celso and Cristian Romero have also gone to Argentina, who will be at full-strength against a depleted Brazil on Sunday.

The Brazilian FA are expected to lodge a complaint with FIFA, who may invoke a five-day ban — ruling those nine players out of one Premier League game immediately after the break.

Spanish clubs went to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in an unsuccessful bid to block players’ release, which gives FIFA confidence they will win a dispute with English teams.

Manchester City pair Ederson (L) and Gabriel Jesus (R) have been told not to travel 

Even so, clubs will view a five-day ban as the less disruptive of the two options.

Those who travel to a red-list country and undergo 10 days of quarantine will miss important training and preparation work as well as competitive games.

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel said Thiago Silva could miss five fixtures if he played for Brazil.