FA to ban AWOL England players

Posted Friday, February 11, 2011 by The Sun

THE FA will ban players from Premier League games if they try to wriggle out of appearing for England.

England were rocked this week when 24 players withdrew from their four representative teams - the seniors, Under-21s, Under-20s and Under-19s.

FA chiefs were ready to make an example of Newcastle striker Nile Ranger. He withdrew from the Under-20s through injury without being assessed by England medics.

And FA officials were ready to ban him from the Toon's trip to Blackburn tomorrow.

But the FA were unable to single out Ranger as England Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce had allowed Manchester United's Chris Smalling to drop out without being checked.

However, they were not surprised to hear Ranger is expected to be fit for the Blackburn match.

England had a bust-up with Newcastle over Andy Carroll last November. They had to call in doctors and clear it with their insurers before the striker could make his debut after Toon said he was not fit.

FIFA rules state players cannot appear for their club during an international call-up and this can be 'prolonged by five days if the player did not wish to or was unable to comply with the call-up'.

FIFA add if the player turned out in that next game the club concerned would forfeit the match.