McLeish issues warning pre-Leeds v Liverpool after surprise FIFA ruling update
Alex McLeish has warned Leeds, Liverpool and other Premier League sides that fighting with international sides is a line they “don’t want to cross”.
The former Scotland manager was speaking exclusively to Football Insider after a tumultuous two-week international break.
As reported by BBC Sport, four nations have triggered a Fifa ruling which bans players not released from international duty from playing for their clubs for five days.
However, the report surprisingly claims the clubs affected are confident of having the rule overturned after emergency talks were launched.
The clubs potentially affected are Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Leeds, Chelsea, Wolves, Newcastle and Watford.
The news comes after a host of players did not travel for international duty.
If the ban stands, Liverpool stars Roberto Firmino, Alisson and Roberto Firmino will all be unable to face Leeds.
Conversely, Leeds winger Raphinha will be unavailable for the clash.
Players from Brazil, Mexico, Paraguay and Chile are all affected by the rule.
McLeish recalled his experiences with reluctant bosses – both as a player and manager with Scotland.
“That’s the line that the clubs don’t want to cross and start fighting with the international sides because FIFA rulings get involved,” he told Football Insider‘s Russell Edge.
“These are rulings that were created years ago.
“I tried to have a good relationship with clubs when I was in the Scotland job.
“Even back in the day when I was a player, the general consensus was that some club managers were not playing the game fairly in terms of releasing players.
“That is why those Fifa implementations are in place.”
In other news, this pundit has tipped Dan James to be handed his Leeds United debut against Liverpool on Sunday.