Premier League clubs granted foreign stars a period of grace to travel back home for family visits before Britain was placed on lockdown.
Sportsmail understands that many players jetted across the continent before Government advice changed and have remained abroad.
They were allowed to leave the country with the blessing of their employers prior to the Coronavirus pandemic escalating.
The football season was suspended until at least April 30 last Thursday and clubs permitted some members of their squads time away given the prospect of no training for weeks.