Premier League's Brazil Players Allowed To Play In 11th Hour Turnaround

Premier League clubs can play their Brazil internationals, after FIFA decided against the five day bans late on Friday night.

The international break was a bit of a shambles in South America when it came to players based in England, with none of them allowed to travel by their clubs, due all the countries being on the red list.

That led to the incredible scenes during Brazil vs Argentina, with four Argentine players travelling from England, as the game was stopped after seven minutes due to health officials entering the pitch.

Brazil then asked FIFA to ban eight of the nine players they'd called up from the Premier League, in line with regulations, with only Everton's Richarlison left off their list.

However, on Friday night it was confirmed that, following talks between FIFA and the South American countries, all the players would be allowed to play.

Jesus and Ederson can now join Richarlison in playing this weekend. Image: PA Images

Premier League clubs had previously all reached an agreement that neither the other clubs or the league would take action if any of the clubs did select their players.

It's believed that the action forced FIFA into talks with the FAs involved with the bans to get them to agree to drop their complaint and the bans.

Pep Guardiola had clearly expected goalkeeper Ederson and Gabriel Jesus to play, telling his pre match press conference on Friday, "They are going to travel, ready to play. The problem is, I don’t understand the situation. It is crazy. Right now I’m thinking they’ll play because I don’t have any other instructions."

One player who will now miss out is Scott Carson, the 36-year-old would have made a surprise start against Leicester City today, if Ederson's ban had stood, as second choice goalkeeper Zack Steffen is currently out with Covid, having tested positive whilst with the USA team.

Carson was expected to start for City if the bans had stood. Image: PA Images

Liverpool and Leeds United's game will now include Alisson Becker, Fabinho and Raphina in their match but Jurgen Klopp will still be without Roberto Firmino who is currently injured.

Chelsea and Manchester United will have Thiago Silva and Fred available, respectively, and they both could have missed out on their side's Champions League game on Tuesday as well, had the ban not been overturned.

It's not just Brazil players who will now be available, Wolves can pick Mexico's Raul Jimenez to play, Newcastle United can have Miguel Almiron in their side and Francisco Sierralta can play for Watford, after missing out for Chile.

The talks between FIFA and the British government have also started to find some way to make sure players can travel to South America for the World Cup qualifiers in October, to avoid a repeat of everything that's happened in the past week.