The South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) announced on Saturday the postponement of qualifying matches for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar scheduled for the end of March, following the refusal of European clubs to release their South American players due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"This decision is due to the impossibility of counting on time on all the South American players", indicated the Conmebol in a press release.
She said "studying a reprogramming" of these 5th and 6th qualifying days in the South American zone with the International Federation (FIFA).
"The clubs pay the players, which means we have to be a priority"
Jürgen Klopp
Many European clubs, especially England, have refused to allow their South American players to travel to South America, alleging that they will have to observe a quarantine on their return.
“The clubs pay the players, which means we have to be a priority.
You can't make everyone happy at this time in our life, ”Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp said this week.
Spaniard Pep Guardiola, who heads Manchester City, said "it does not make sense if the players leave with their national team and then have to isolate themselves for ten days upon their return".
The Argentinian coach of Paris Saint-Germain, Mauricio Pochettino, was more measured in calling for "a fair and equitable solution".
El Consejo de la CONMEBOL resolvió suspend la doble fecha de las Eliminatorias para Catar 2022 prevista para marzo.
The decision obedient to the imposibilidad de contar en tiempo y forma con todos los jugadores Sudamericanos.
- CONMEBOL.com (@CONMEBOL) March 6, 2021
For the ten member associations of Conmebol, the presence of their “European” players is essential.
The decision was taken on Saturday at a meeting between Conmebol, headquartered in Paraguay, and FIFA.
The 6th day was to be the scene of the South American classic between Brazil, leader with 12 points, and Argentina, 10 points.
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