Premier League clubs won’t release Argentina internationals early
English clubs with Argentina internationals on their books rejected the AFA’s request to leave their players out of the last league game before the World Cup.
In 18 days’ time, the 2022 Qatar World Cup will get underway with the opening match between the hosts and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium. However, the last day of league action will be the weekend of 12-13 November - in other words, the teams who will be competing at the World Cup finals will only have one week to travel and prepare for the event. Given this lack of time, the Argentinean Football Association (AFA) asked the Premier League if they would release the international players based in England a day earlier to fit in their travel schedule.
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However, English clubs have rejected the request, which means that all of the Argentina internationals will be involved with their respective clubs right up until the end of the Week 16 fixtures with the game between Fulham and Manchester United bringing the action to a close with their match at 4:40 p.m. on Sunday 13 November. That would directly affect United centre-back Lisandro Martínez.
An attempt was made to release one, unnamed Argentina player a day earlier than planned but it was ruled out, according to Sportsmail.
FIFA rules stipulate that no player from his club can be released until Monday 14 November, one day after the completion of the last matchday in all of the domestic leagues.
Several Argentinean players who are currently playing in the Premier League have a chance of being included in Lionel Scaloni’s squad for the World Cup, including: Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa), Cuti Romero (Tottenham), Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton) and Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United). Another player who is in contention of being in Argentina’s World cup squad is Aston Villa’s Emiliamo Buendía.
Friendly in Doha
Argentina have a warm-up friendly against the United Arab Emirates lined up for 16 November. After that they will head straight to Qatar. Scaloni’s team play their opening match, against group rivals Saudi Arabia, six days later.