EPL to block national team call ups, Real Madrid lodge €160m Mbappé bid, and more: Freedom Kicks for August 25, 2021

Good morning, everyone. I’m on my way to Florida for vacation, and the MLS All-Star Game is tonight. We will see if the MLS All-Stars can defeat the Liga MX All-Stars. Until then, here’s a recap of yesterday:

Premier League won’t release players to ‘red-listed’ countries for World Cup qualifying - ESPNFC

The Premier League is defying FIFA by refusing to release players that are on the UK’s “red list” for Covid restrictions. Of note, the USMNT don’t have to worry about any of their players for now, as the United States, El Salvador, and Honduras are not on the red list. However, Panama (who hosts the USMNT next month), Mexico, and Costa Rica are on the red list. It’s unclear how FIFA will respond.

BREAKING: Real Madrid send €160 million offer for Kylian Mbappe - Managing Madrid

Real Madrid has made a €160m bid for Kylian Mbappé, but PSG rejected it already. This saga will continue until the transfer window closes next week.

US striker Sargent claims double as Norwich hit Bournemouth for six - BBC

Josh Sargent bagged a brace as Norwich City destroyed Bournemouth by a 6-2 score.

Liga MX All-Stars defeat MLS in 2021 All-Star Skills Challenge pres. by AT&T 5G - MLS

Liga MX’s All-Stars were the victors of the Skills Challenge last night. Tonight, we have the All-Star Game, where MLS can get their revenge.

Fifa awarded $201m in forfeited funds after corruption probe by US Department of Justice - BBC

Somehow, FIFA will be the beneficiary of $201m in forfeited funds after a lengthy corruption probe. How, Sway? How?

Women’s national team players leave Afghanistan on evacuation flight - ESPNFC

Great news out of Afghanistan, as some of the women’s national team players were evacuated from Kabul by the Australian government.

Enjoy the match tonight, everyone!