Tottenham’s Giovani Lo Celso and Cristian Romero called up by Argentina despite country being on travel red list

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Marco Giacomelli28 September 2021

Tottenham’s Giovani Lo Celso and Cristian Romero have been called up by Argentina for next month’s World Cup qualifiers despite the country remaining on the UK’s Covid-19 travel red list.

The decision means another potential headache for Spurs as Lo Celso and Romero both missed the Premier League defeat by Crystal Palace and the Europa Conference League draw at Rennes after going on international duty at the start of this month.

The pair were forced to return to England via a 10-day training camp in Croatia to avoid spending the same period in a quarantine hotel.

Last night’s call-up threatens a similar situation with the duo, along with Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, named in the 30-man squad for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay (away), Uruguay and Peru (both home) from October 8-15.

Depending on how long Lo Celso and Romero are with Argentina will dictate how many games they could miss. Spurs go to Newcastle on Saturday October 17, are away to Vitesse Arnhem the following Thursday in the Europa League and then go to the London Stadium for a derby with West Ham on Sunday October 24.

This month, Argentina released midfielder Lo Celso and centre-back Romero early after the farcical abandoned World Cup qualifier with Brazil where health officials invaded the pitch accusing the Premier League players of breaking the country’s Covid quarantine rules.

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