Premier League clubs agree to ‘defy FIFA’ and play banned players this weekend

Premier League clubs have reportedly agreed to defy FIFA and play the players handed bans by the governing body in this weekend's fixtures.

Following the requests of their respective FA's, FIFA handed five-day suspensions to players from Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Paraguay that were not allowed to travel for matches during the international break.

The decision earlier this week has angered Premier League clubs, who voted not to allow players to play in red list nations due to the need to isolate on their return to the UK.

The ban affects 11 players from eight different Premier League clubs including three at Liverpool alone.

The Sun report that clubs have agree to defy FIFA and play the players in question regardless of the ban and have unanimously decided not to complain if 'ineligible' players feature this weekend.

FIFA wrote to the affected clubs earlier this week to inform them of five-day restrictions applied to the players that were not released for last week's internationals.

The Brazilian, Chilean, Mexican and Paraguayan football associations all triggered a clause in FIFA's rules allowing them to request a five-day suspension.

They were left angered by being blocked from calling up a number of their players by Premier League clubs that did not want them isolating on their return to England.

The Premier League and FIFA are understood to have held three days worth of talks this week but have failed to come to an agreement and the players are still expected to play.

Brazilian stars Thiago Silva, Raphinha, Alisson, Fabinho, Roberto Firmino, Ederson, Gabriel Jesus and Fred were all requested to be suspended this weekend.

However, the Brazilian FA did not include Everton's Richarlison in their request after the Toffees' cooperation in allowing the forward to play at the Olympics earlier in the summer.

Newcastle United's Miguel Almiron and Wolves striker Raul Jimenez were also blocked from playing for Paraguay and Mexico, respectively.

The Chilean FA had also requested that Watford defender Francisco Sierralta not be permitted to play this weekend and also included Championship side Blackburn Rovers' Ben Brereton in their request.

It is unclear what repercussions clubs could still face if they play the 'banned' players this weekend but FIFA could reportedly ask the FA to intervene.

So far, the FA have not commented on the situation or made any contact with those involved in the matter.

• Premier League

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