Question Number: 27285

Mechanics 3/31/2013

RE: Adult

rob fox of essex, england asks...

When a player is called up for an international match, how many days before the match does the league team receive the notification of the call up?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Rob
The matter is regulated by FIFA Regulations for the Status and Transfer of Players. This is what the document has to say
'' Players must also be released for the period of preparation before the match, which is laid down as follows:
a) friendly matches: 48 hours;
b) qualifying matches for an international tournament:
# four days (including the day of the match). The release period shall be extended to five days if the match concerned is held in a different confederation to the one in which the player's club is registered;
# prior to double-dates (Friday ? Tuesday) listed in the coordinated international match calendar, the release period shall in any case be five days prior to the beginning of the time span fixed by the calendar (including the relevant Friday);''
It is up to each association to decide whether it wishes to implement this regulation. The English FA in the past has not used this and has chosen to work with the clubs.
As regards for the call up itself that is not covered and it is up to association to advise players and clubs of the names of those players selected. I suspect that the matter is done informally between the association and the players very shortly before the formal press announcement. With modern communication I would say that the time difference between the formal and informal would be minimal particularly when there is huge media interest as to those included / excluded.
The recent squad announcement by England for the games against San Marino and Montenegro was made on the 14th March with the 1st game on the 22nd March which is some 8 days.