Several Danish clubs are preventing their young players from participating in the U21 European Championship finals in June, citing FIFA regulations. National coach Brian Riemer announced that only two of the six players eligible for both the senior and U21 teams will be allowed to participate.

Brøndby’s Mathias Kvistgaarden and Ajax’s Anton Gaaei have been cleared by their respective clubs and are expected to be included in Steffen Højer’s U21 squad.

However, Patrick Dorgu, Victor Froholdt, Lucas Høgsberg, Filip Jørgensen, Mika Biereth, and Rasmus Højlund will not be released by their clubs, which include FC Nordsjælland, FC Copenhagen, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Monaco.

Riemer explained that FIFA rules grant clubs the authority to block players since the U21 finals do not fall on official FIFA match days.

He expressed his disappointment, stating that the national team always aims to field the strongest possible team for major tournaments, including the U19, U21, and senior levels.

Riemer acknowledged that the decision is beyond his control and that even excluding these players from the senior squad wouldn’t change the clubs’ stance. He noted that Rasmus Højlund, for example, is now primarily considered a senior national team player.

Riemer suggested that a potential solution would be to amend FIFA’s rules if they are deemed unfavorable, but he admitted he is not the appropriate person to comment on the feasibility of such changes.