World Cup

Argentina refuse Tottenham Hotspur request to release players early

By Sam Varley, Reporter | 07 October 2021

Argentina refuse Spurs request to release players early

Argentina refuse Tottenham Hotspur's request to release Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso early from the international break for their clash with Newcastle United.

Argentina have refused Tottenham Hotspur's request to release Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso early from the upcoming international break.

The two players were involved in drama in Brazil in the last round of international fixtures, as they, along with Aston Villa duo Emiliano Martinez and Emiliano Buendia, failed to declare that they had arrived from England, leading to Brazilian authorities storming the field and the game being abandoned.

Nonetheless, Lionel Scaloni has kept Romero and Lo Celso in his squad for the latest round of games, with La Albiceleste taking on Paraguay, Uruguay and Peru in World Cup Qualifiers.

As quoted by Evening Standard, the London club had asked for their duo to be released from the international camp early, but Scaloni refused, saying to reporters: "[Last month] I said that they came to play all three games but the players raised a difficult decision for me and I understood it, so I released them. Now the players are here to play the three games. Under no point of view they will leave earlier."

Such an update means Lo Celso and Romero are unlikely to feature in Tottenham's clash with Newcastle United after the break, although the Lilywhites are said to be looking into the logistics of quickly flying their players back in time for the trip to St. James' Park.

Colombia and Brazil have also rejected Spurs' requests to release Davinson Sanchez and Emerson Royal respectively, leaving Nuno Espirito Santo to plan for the clash without four of his first-team players.