Netherlands international call-ups risk wrath of Premier League giants

Premier League clubs are on a collision course with FIFA over the upcoming international break with a number of teams set to ban players from travelling to represent their national sides.

English sides are concerned about releasing their top stars to travel abroad as they will consequently face a 10-day quarantine when they return.

The Netherlands have included five Premier League players in their preliminary squad for their World Cup qualifiers in March with Liverpool ’s Georginio Wijnaldum, Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek and Tottenham ’s Steven Bergwijn all selected.

Crystal Palace defender Patrick van Aanholt and Joel Veltman of Brighton are also part of Frank de Boer’s squad with the Dutch due to face Turkey, Latvia and Gibraltar.

With continued global concerns over coronavirus, The South American World Cup qualifiers scheduled for later this month have already been cancelled, with many believing other Confederations should follow suit.

Premier League bosses have made the feelings clear on the upcoming break with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp already hinting he would stop Wijnaldum and others linking up with their countries.

“I think FIFA was kind of clear that we don’t have to let the players go this time, and I think all the clubs agree that with the same problems we cannot just let the boys go. It is just not possible," he said.

“I understand the need of the different FAs but this is a time where we cannot make everyone happy and we have to admit the players are paid by the clubs, so that means we have to be first priority."

Spurs boss Jose Mourinho agreed with his rival, insisting: “the clubs have the right to protect themselves, because Jurgen is right: the clubs pay the players."

Meanwhile, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also suggested he won't be allowing his players to jet off around the world in the current climate.

"We have not sat down and made a proper call on that one but it doesn't make sense if you lose your player for 10 days' isolation because we are the ones paying the players," he said.

"From what I understand, that [being allowed to ban players travelling] is the rule.

"FIFA have given the rule that they don't have to be released, so it is going to be a hard call to make to let them play in red-list countries.”

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