The international break, players uncertainties and clubs’ conundrum

Naby Keita was among the player who feared insecurity as a coup de-tat in Guinea forced the game against Morocco to be postponed, how about players who defied club protocols? (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

The first international break of the current season is gradually winding down but news from across countries leave so much to be desired; from players breaching protocols, to injuries and unrests from political crisis and COVID-19 red zones, is there a way out of this situation?

Clubs were given the rights to stop some players from honoring national calls especially to some parts of the world deemed to be red zones for the ongoing pandemic, yet some players still found ways to book private jets, thereby risking lots.

The game between Brazil and Argentina was interrupted in the opening minutes by health officials who stormed the pitch and asked that four Argentina players be deported immediately from the country having lied about their travel history.

Christian Romero and Giovanni Lo Celso, both of Tottenham Hotspur and the Villa duo of Emi Martinez and Emi Buendia were the players involved, the flip side to it is that their respective clubs didn’t authorize their trips to South America and will all be fined.

Elsewhere in Africa, the game between Guinea and Morocco was also postponed after a coup de-tat in the African country with the military taking over the government, players were in six and sevens and Liverpool player Naby Keita and Romain Saiss of Wolves are among key players affected.

Weston McKennie was sent back to Juventus by his national team manager Greg Berhalter after he was first suspended for their qualifying game of the weekend and ultimately suspended for the game on Wednesday against Honduras.

"Weston will return to Italy and will be unavailable for the match against Honduras due to a violation of team policy," Berhalter said via a statement.

"There are high expectations for those who are a part of the U.S. Men's National Team, and in order to be successful it's important that everyone in the group is accountable."

In all of these you wonder what the thought process of these players look like, beyond jeopardizing their own health statuses, what about their teammates? The entire league by extension, what is the craze for breaching protocols?

To be honest the financial fines mean nothing to them, they can afford to book private jets, host lavish parties and pay whatever is levied on them, what then can be the premium penalty to deter them from repeating such?

Clubs can’t do without these players hence they have to play, what penalty can end the indiscipline they exhibit from time to time? Clubs can’t control the political happenings in countries where their players come from, but can they stop them from crossing dangerous boundaries?