Manchester United head coach Marc Skinner has confirmed that forward Ivana Fuso will not be reporting for international duty with Brazil this month.
The 20-year-old recently received her second call-up to the Brazilian national team for this month’s international camp and friendly double header against Argentina. Brazil remain on the UK Government’s COVID-19 travel red list and the decision has therefore been made for the player to remain in England.
Manchester United manager Marc Skinner confirmed the news in an official club press conference this afternoon in which FAWSL Full-Time were present.
He said “Ivana has had a good conversation with the national team and they have decided together that at this moment, it would be safest not to attend this camp. Both parties are happy with that and there is a really good understanding.
“It is important to mention how personal Pia (Sundhage) is with her players because that allows the best solution for everyone. It allows Ivana to stay here in training and not miss too much of her football.
“I love the fact that we are very adaptable and it was a really, really grown up conversation that they had and we really support that decision.”
There has been prickly debate in the men’s game over players not being released to represent ‘red list’ countries in the international window and Skinner went on to say that he sees the argument from all angles and sympathises with players, clubs and countries.
“Players want to play for their country but just because of the situation that we find ourselves in, it is very difficult;” Skinner added. “You can understand it from a club’s perspective as well as a player and international perspective and I think it is just coming to those common grounds in this moment. I don’t think that there is any club which would deny the player the opportunity to represent their country, we know how important it is to them.
“At this moment, we don’t have to be in that situation ourselves. I have nothing but sympathy for the player, nations and clubs because it is a very difficult situation.”
Following Sunday’s game at Leicester City, Ivana will continue training with Manchester United as they prepare for a huge home fixture against Chelsea after the international break.