As the African Cup of Nations begins on December 21, some very bad news has just fallen…
Mohamed Salah will not be an isolated case. This Tuesday, Liverpool, through their coach Arne Slot, confirmed that the Egyptian striker would join their selection on December 15, and not before. Only six days before the official kickoff of the African Cup of Nations.
The subject is talked about a lot, and the teams involved in this CAN were hoping for something else. Particularly because of the FIFA regulations. “For a final competition, players must be made available and begin joining their representative team no later than Monday morning of the week preceding that in which the final competition in question begins. » The CAN begins on Sunday 21, the African selections therefore hoped to obtain their players on Monday 8 December. They will have to wait another week.
With this competition moved to the height of the season so as not to conflict with the Club World Cup dear to Gianni Infantino, Fifa is in embarrassment. Because by releasing the players from December 8, this would deprive the African internationals of the 6th day of the Champions League, and of an additional championship meeting, the weekend of 13-14. The clubs would be too harmed, and the scales will tip in their favor.
African football humiliated
As indicated by L’EquipeThis is very bad news for the African selections, who had planned to start their preparation camp on December 8 or 9. Some teams had even canceled friendly matches during the week.
Beyond this aspect, it is the symbol that hurts.
“The world of African football sees this episode as an immense lack of respect for a major competition on the world calendar”confirms L’Equipe.
