Brazil won't censure Richarlison over missed qualifiers

However, letting Richarliosn play in the Olympics continues to look like a good decision thus far. He's been in top form for our early games and both he and Brazil are clearly grateful for Everton's permissiveness.

My understanding is that it is FIFA who are suspending the players rather than the clubs.

A moot point maybe, but the world body sanction players where an international agreement has been broken.

Everton could lose them for 5 days if they refuse to send them... or, worse still, 10 days in quarantine. It's about time the UK government, UEFA, FA and the Premier League make their decisions and advices for the right decisions for clubs affected by 'red listed countries'.

Other players got into trouble, and got suspended, because they didn't arrive in Brazil from England.

Am I missing something?

I'm a bit confused about these 5-day suspensions though, didn't the Premier League ban players from traveling to red list countries? If so, it seems off that the individual clubs can now be punished for not releasing them.

Football? It's only a game!!!

Well, do a bit of reading, thick Kopites, and you will see why Richarlison can play and your 3 Brazilians are suspended.

The Brazilian federation is a rampantly corrupt and thoroughly despicable organization -- hosting the Copa at Bolsonaro's instigation was only the latest of their money-grubbing adventures -- but I have to admit that they've handled this situation pretty well. Even if it was kinda bizarre to see that chubby little Brazilian health official stopping the game and shoving Otamendi the other day.

They never advise or make a proactive decision but love to threaten clubs and dish out punishment.

I doubt anything will happen because it's too many big rich clubs that will take legal action.

I quite like the idea of being bribed with fish:) but seeing as it was purely a spell-checking error will the dosh be COD?

And the only other option is countries banning these players for a number of games but surely I can't see them doing that.

"Put a plan in place now and it could be years before it comes to fruition. Far easier to sign a big name for the immediate dopamine hit that leads to inane talk of winning the transfer market and is why many fans seem more excited by signing players than winning matches. There are those who see Juve's signing of Ronaldo as indicative of Serie A regaining its mojo; on the contrary, it was emblematic of its decadence, a superclub being lured on to the rocks by the siren call of celebrity."

Ancelotti and James, the celebrity signings for the superclub Everton. A bit fishey comparison, true, but I'm struggling a bit with not having more frequent games to comment on. And I'm missing Steve Ferns.

Corrupt and bent as hell for for the big guys, yet again.

Is anyone else least suprised those players would be able to play, this weekend.

Not surprised at all. There goes our good will bonus though we are going to have to rest him at some point regardless. Real power battle right now with four competing powers: EPL, UEFA, FIFA, and the three bankrupt super league teams who refuse to let go. Interesting to see who comes out on top.

But there is an ongoing problem about players playing in red-list countries. Infantino is suggesting that players be given a special exemption to having to quarantine when returning from playing in a red-list country.

Having read the story of Karl Darlow, the Newcastle reserve keeper, who contracted Covid and was hospitalised and put on an intervenous drip, he also said he was really scared of what might happen. He was due to get his first jab the day after he went into hospital. He said many of his team mates who had not bothered to get vaccinated soon changed their minds when they saw what happened to him.

The problem with allowing unvaccinated players to travel in and out of red-list countries is a problem for the players and their contacts. Maybe Infantino would be better running a campaign to encourage more footballers to get vaccinated, as I am sure he wont want his qualifications to the World Cup to be derailed.