Manchester United head coach Marc Skinner has confirmed that talks are ongoing with the relevant authorities to determine whether forward Ivana Fuso will be permitted to link-up with the Brazilian national team later this month.
The youngster received a call-up by national team boss Pia Sundhage earlier this week ahead of Brazil’s international double header with Argentina later this month.
Brazil is currently one of those countries listed on the UK Government’s overseas travel ‘red list’ meaning that Ivana would have to go into a period of quarantine upon her return to the UK. COVID-19 cases have been on a steady decline in Brazil for the last two months but at this stage, there is no indication that the nation’s travel status with the UK Government will be downgraded to ‘amber’.
The Premier League and English Football League took the collective decision not to release their players to link-up with countries on the ‘red list’ for international duty this month. Manchester United boss Skinner has told FAWSL Full-Time that a decision is yet to be made on Ivana’s potential release and that discussions with the relevant parties are ongoing.
“We are currently going through that (the consultation process) now;” Skinner told FAWSL Full-Time in a Manchester United press conference. “I think that we always have to be prepared in a global pandemic, you have to go with the governing bodies, you have to talk to the governing bodies, you have to look at what is best for the player and the club in terms of how to protect the safety of the player first and foremost, that is always going to be the priority.
“We are currently ongoing with those conversations and I’m sure that you’ll find out how that goes after we’ve had those discussions.”
Ivana’s call-up is just her second for the senior Brazilian national team. She was first included in the squad for the 2021 SheBelieves Cup in February. The player made her debut as a second half substitute in the 4-1 victory over Argentina before starting the 2-0 win against Canada.
The 20-year-old was thrilled to learn of her second call-up, however, she faces a nervous wait to learn whether she will be permitted to travel to South America later this month.
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