Aston Villa chief Purslow admits second thoughts releasing players after 'mess' in Brazil

Football
7 Sep 2021 • 5:15 PM MYT
Tribal Football
Tribal Football

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Aston Villa chief executive Christian Purslow says the controversy surrounding Brazil and Argentina's World Cup qualifier will make clubs "incredibly nervous" about releasing their players in future.

Sunday's game was abandoned just after kick-off after Brazil's health authorities said Argentina's four UK-based players broke quarantine rules.

Villa allowed Argentine duo Emiliano Martinez and Emiliano Buendia to travel to South America for Argentina's first two matches.

"It is a mess," Purslow said.

"What happened in Brazil on Sunday was one of the most extraordinary things I've seen watching football in all my life.

"I don't quite understand how it happened but it was very regrettable and very damaging to sport, when we had done everything we could to come to an amicable and sensible arrangement with the Argentine FA to enable our players to play in very important games.

"We already have a significant congestion issue with World Cup qualifying games in South America so between now and October I really hope to see a sensible arrangement put in place because nobody wants to see a repeat of what happened.

"That would make any reasonable club executive feel incredibly nervous about releasing players for overseas travel while we are in the midst of this crisis."


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