FIFA has confirmed clubs have an option not to send players for March’s international break if it means the players will have to miss the subsequent fixtures due to quarantine protocols.
Earlier this week, reports coming out of England stated Liverpool have decided to recall Naby Keita early from his international commitment with Guinea.
Guinea are scheduled to play Mali and Namibia in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers later this month.
As per the United Kingdom government’s restrictions, players who will travel to countries in the red list will have to quarantine for 10 days, and with Namibia are in the red list, the Premier League side have decided to recall the midfielder after his country’s match against Mali.
Guinea manager Didier Six has now revealed the African nation had to negotiate with Liverpool to have the 26-year-old to face Mali.
“We negotiated with Liverpool, which is still one of the biggest clubs in the world, to have Naby Keita in the first match, the 24th against Mali,” Guinea coach told AFC, as relayed by Wiwsport.
“Then we put him back on the plane right away, and he’ll be available for recovery after seven days of isolation, where he can train.”
“There were smart things to be done, which I put forward at the clubs, to have all our strength on our first match. I had anticipated all this, it is the proof that the reflection was good, mine, theirs and that of the player. Diplomacy is needed.”
Jürgen Klopp will take his men to the Emirates on April 4th as Liverpool face Arsenal after the international break and Keita should be available for selection to face the Gunners.
