UK refuses to answer FIFA’s request over Black Stars players

United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson has refused to answer FIFA's request for exemptions so Premier League clubs will release players for World Cup qualifiers in red-list countries.

Black Stars are affected by Premier League clubs decision as the England-based players have been ruled out of the game against South Africa.

Under UK government rules, players would miss several games because of the 10-day isolation period that is required on their return to the UK.

South Africa are on UK's red list and that means Daniel Amartey (Leicester City), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Tariqe Fosu-Henry (Brentford FC), Baba Abdul Rahman (Reading FC) and Andrew Yiadom (Reading FC) won't travel with the Black Stars to Johannesburg.

FIFA boss Gianni Infantino wanted the UK government to soften its stand and "suggested approach similar to the final stages of Euro 2020 be implemented".

Primer Minister Johnson received the letter but hasn't responded to Infantino, meaning the decision by the clubs still stands.

Black Stars players can only feature in the Ethiopia clash since the match is in Cape Coast and Ghana are not on UK's red list.

The match will be played on Friday, September 3, before the South Africa clash scheduled for Tuesday 6 September.