Wolves journalist Liam Keen has provided an update on the situation surrounding Raul Jimenez at the club.
The Mexican forward did not participate in the most recent round of international fixtures. With the country on the government’s red list for travel, it was decided that the 30-year-old would not take part in the games due to concerns about how his return to the country would impact his ability to play and train.
However, following the Brazilian FA and FIFA’s decision to suspend players from taking part for their clubs this weekend for not appearing for their country during the international break, the Mexican FA have followed suit, meaning that Jimenez would not be allowed to play for Wolves against Watford.
Keen discussed the situation on the latest edition of the E&S Wolves podcast, and he said that as things stood, Jimenez would not be allowed to play – but the club were trying to find a solution to the problem:
“Basically, Wolves stopped Jimenez from going out to Mexico on international duty because they’re a red-list country. It would have meant he had to isolate – in a hotel, by the way, not isolate at home, away from his young family – isolate in a hotel for 10 days, missing the Watford and the Brentford game.
“So obviously he didn’t go, and then Mexico requested to FIFA that they impose the sanctions on Wolves, meaning that Jimenez will now be banned for five days after the international window, which was yesterday [Wednesday], which means he misses the Watford game.
“So as it stands, the Premier League and FIFA are going back and forth, the British government are involved. It’s a load of red tape, a load of organisations involved trying to basically come to some sort of agreement, trying to get exemptions for players potentially going forward in the October [international] window as well. But as it stands, Jimenez is going to miss the Watford game unless they come to some sort of agreement.”
TIF Thoughts on Liam Keen’s comments about Raul Jimenez and Wolves…
Would Wolves have finished in the top half of the table if Jimenez had been available all season?
Yes
No
This certainly would be a devastating blow for Wolves to have to play a game without Jimenez. Having missed him and his goals so desperately last season, given his track record over the years, he arguably represents the best chance for Bruno Lage’s men to snap out of the slump that they’ve been in to start the season.
And whilst it is still early in the season – it’s not as if this is a relegation six-pointer at this stage of proceedings – his absence could certainly prove crucial for Wolves as they take on Watford at Vicarage Road.
So hopefully Wolves manage to sort everything out in time for Jimenez to participate this weekend, or they could be staring down the barrel of a fourth consecutive loss to start the season.
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