US Striker Sargent Kept Out Of National Team Camp By Bremen

BREMEN, Germany: German club Werder Bremen will not release United States forward Josh Sargent and other players for upcoming national team games.

Bremen said on Thursday it will release only one player, Czech Republic goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka, for the international break next week.

No other players will feature for their countries, Bremen said.

That’s because local health regulations in the city of Bremen mean players who are returning from international risk areas must quarantine for five days, according to the club. Many other jurisdictions in Germany and across Europe have allowed exemptions from quarantine rules for elite soccer players and other athletes during the coronavirus pandemic.

Bremen said Pavlenka will be released only for a friendly against Germany in Leipzig next week.

Czech team spokesman Petr Sedivy said Pavlenka would leave the Czech squad before later Nations League matches in the Czech Republic against Israel and Slovakia.

Bremen will also allow midfielder Jean-Manuel Mbom to join the Germany Under-21 team.

Sargent was named in the U.S. squad for friendlies against Wales in Cardiff on Nov. 12 and against Panama in Austria four days later. Britain and most of Austria are considered risk areas by the Robert Koch Institute, Germany’s main public health authority.

Bremen’s decision also appears to affect the Serbia team. Serbia named Bremen defender Milos Veljkovic for its squad for a European Championship qualifying playoff against Scotland and Nations League games against Hungary and Russia.

FIFA said last month clubs could refuse to release players if they faced at least five days in quarantine on their return. Normally clubs can face heavy sanctions if they don’t let players join their national teams.

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