As is usually the case at the start of an international break, Celtic published an infographic on Twitter that attracted plenty of responses from the support.
The image, and you’ll likely recognise it, is a map detailing which countries which Celtic players are representing. It’s your normal sort of “good luck” message from the club as they send their best to all of their players.
Yet, whilst the fans would unite in sending their best wishes along with the club, things have changed.
This month, supporters are no longer interested in doing that. The unified voice hasn’t changed, but its message has as they all expressed dread over the internationals with some urging the club to bring their players back.
This comes after Odsonne Edouard, Hatem Elhamed, and Nir Bitton picked up Covid during the October break. Ryan Christie also had to self-isolate under the close contact rule.
The amount of Covid-related subjects Celtic had come the end of the break in October led to the club releasing a statement. Within that statement was a key message that we must all remember.
Celtic noted that: “While FIFA regulations determine that clubs are obliged to release players for international duty, going forward we are sure wider discussions will take place around this hugely important issue. We will monitor these discussions closely”.
And the club isn’t wrong here. We are absolutely powerless as a club to stop fit and ready players from going away on international duty.
Annex 1 of FIFA’s Regulation on the Status and Transfer of Players (page 32) says: “Clubs are obliged to release their registered players to the representative teams of the country for which the player is eligible to play on the basis of his nationality if they are called up by the association concerned. Any agreement between a player and a club to the contrary is prohibited.”
It’s vital we all remember this. Celtic have absolutely no power here and could be subject to heavy punishments if they try to shield their players from going on international duty.
Here’s a look at how fans reacted to the club’s Tweet yesterday:
https://twitter.com/1888JT/status/1326630767917666308
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