All cleared to play! Premier League clubs are able to consider their South American players for team selection on Matchday 4; “FIFA invoked Article 5” which prohibited these players from taking part in club action following the decision made by PL clubs to not send players to red-listed countries.
All Premier League clubs, prior to the first international break, decided that no South American player will go and represent their respective countries if the country has been red-listed by the UK government.
Countries red-listed in South America
- Brazil
- Chile
- Mexico
- Paraguay
All English Premier League
This led to the Brazil FA requested the head of football, FIFA, to demand that these particular players be banned for five days, consisting of Matchday 4 in the English Premier League.
All clubs affected by the decision by FIFA to excise Article 5 hit back at them and remained hopeful their outfielders could take part in this weekend’s action.
"FIFA has cleared players who were called up by Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Paraguay during the international break to play in the Premier League this weekend.On Wednesday it was revealed that FIFA had invoked Article 5 to block Premier League clubs from selecting players who they had refused to release for the latest round of international fixtures, following a request from the Brazilian Football Confederation."
Last-minute changes to FPL teams and for real-life managers in the Premier League?
If all the managers continued to keep their South American players in their plans until the final day of training, then slotting their first-choice Brazilian, Chilian, or Mexican back into the matchday agenda and starting lineup will be seamless.
For FPL managers, if you hung on to your South American players despite the apprehension created by the midweek news, then your patience has paid off for you.
If you transferred them out and went as far as playing a Wildcard chip, you will be wishing, praying, and hoping all weekend long your big gamble pays off.
Full story: Sky Sports