Sancho And Bellingham To Be Barred From Joining England Squad

Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham fear missing out on England’s World Cup qualifiers against San Marino, Albania and Poland because Germany imposes strict rules on all travellers entering from this country, because of the mutant strain of Covid-19 which is dominant in the UK.  

Travel from the UK to Germany is banned except in exceptional circumstances and when it is allowed there is a necessity to quarantine for 10 days on arrival in Germany.

There is currently no exception for elite sportsmen and women, with the rules due be reviewed early next month.

The Borussia Dortmund stars can travel to the UK to meet up with England. But on their return to Germany they would have to quarantine for 10 days under current rules.  

In such circumstances, FIFA rules say that clubs can prevent players from reporting for international duty.  

Borussia Dortmund would almost certainly insist that Bellingham and Sancho stay in Germany, as they wouldn’t want to lose their services for 10 days in April when the club is fighting to qualify for the Champions League and may have Champions League games to play.  

England’s fixtures are planned for the last week in March and even then they will require special permission to travel to Albania, which currently has a ban on travel from the UK, with no exceptions for elite sporting bubbles.