Release of internationals: CAS rejects LaLiga's argument, clubs vs federations standoff continues

In June 2021, the failure of certain clubs - notably in the Ligue 1 Uber Eats and Ligue 2 BKT - to release their players selected to take part in the Tokyo Olympic Games generated confusion among the general public, who were impervious to the subtle notion of "FIFA dates" from which the Olympic fortnight is excluded. The subject came back into the discussion with the September 2021 international window, for which clubs are theoretically obliged to let their players leave to join their national teams.

However, two elements related to Covid-19 have led both clubs and leagues to challenge this rule. Firstly, the quarantine imposed by the public authorities on players travelling to certain countries on their return to their clubs, which may cause them to miss one or more matches. This situation has been particularly opposed by Premier League clubs, a large number of whose players are affected by the measures imposed by the British government, which has stood firm in the face of requests for greater flexibility from football bodies, including FIFA, via its president Gianni Infantino.

Then…