England's 2022 World Cup hopes are possibly in the balance over issues surrounding the Covid-19 vaccination.
A report from The Sun claims that at least five members of Gareth Southgate's squad are refusing to get the jab.
Qatar - the host nation for the tournament next winter - are looking to ban all unvaccinated players from taking part in the international event.
The report adds that three of the five English footballers in question are seniors who starred for the country at Euro 2020 in the summer.
One member of the rebel group is said to have quipped that they're "too young and fit" to be affected by Covid-19, while another is buying into "bizarre conspiracies" surrounding the vaccine.
The rest are thought to have been pressured into not having the jab by their partners.
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A source told The Sun: “Dressing rooms and WhatsApp groups are awash with anti-vax conspiracy theories. Many senior players have been duped by online arguments and myths against the vaccine.
“And they’re refusing to change course. If Qatar press ahead with plans to demand Covid vaccine passports from fans and players, it’s going to come to a head.”
A club doctor added: “We’ve got senior players, intelligent men, coming out with all sorts of nonsense. One told me he didn’t need the vaccine because he could boost his immunity by taking vitamins.
“Some of the stuff they’re reading - and believing - on the internet is incredible. Players are saying it will make them infertile, that it's part of a plot involving Bill Gates, that the pandemic is just propaganda.
“The real problem is they’re also polluting the minds of younger players.”
There are concerns that the issue could lead to tension in the England camp during the upcoming international break, when the team travel to face Andorra in a 2022 World Cup qualifier.
Those who are not vaccinated against Covid-19 will be given special exemption that will allow them to play and train through quarantine.
That may lead to a certain amount of friction in the squad, especially given that Southgate himself was part of a campaign that urged young people to get the jab.
An FA spokesperson said on the matter: “This is a private matter for individuals and their respective clubs as employers. Our preparations for the forthcoming internationals continue as normal.”