The CAF accepts the request of the European clubs to delay the release of the players until January 3

European clubs, which previously probed the total postponement of competition during their leagues’ peak period, opted to plead with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to delay the release of players, to ease the burden of crowded matches of Christmas and New Years. in their squads.

The 24-nation African Cup opens on January 9 at the Olembe Stadium in Yaoundé, with the final on February 6.
FIFA regulations had ordered the players to be released today, extending the time they would be absent from games in European competitions such as the Premier League which is played over the Christmas and New Year period and during the African Cup.

According to The Associated Press, FIFA Deputy Secretary General Mattias Grafström confirmed yesterday the “solidarity commitment” with the World Leagues Forum and the European Leagues.

Quoting Grafström, the story says: “CAF has decided that for those players who have official club matches between December 27, 2021 and January 3, 2022, the participating member associations concerned should be instructed that these players can stay with their clubs to participate in these matches and be released after the last match during this period, ”wrote Grafström.

The World Leagues Forum called the previous requirement that players fulfill international roles as “unreasonable and disproportionate to many clubs and players who are still playing at the time”, but CAF and FIFA have shown their willingness to respond to those concerns. .

It has been emphasized to FIFA that this decision is made in the spirit of goodwill and solidarity with the affected clubs in recognition of the fact that they, like all members of the football community, have been negatively affected by the start. of the COVID pandemic. ”Grafström wrote.

“It is also assumed that a spirit of mutual cooperation remains between CAF and all relevant stakeholders in this regard, including matters related to the release of players and the provision of sports exemptions to travel and quarantine restrictions if necessary in the future”.