The president of Napoli assured that he would not sign footballers from the continent unless they gave up playing in the Africa Cup
BERLIN, Aug. 7 (dpa/EP) –
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has condemned Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis’ statements after he stated that he will not sign African players unless they agree to give up playing in the Africa Cup.
“CAF is dismayed by the irresponsible and unacceptable comments made by Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis about African players and the African Cup of Nations,” it said in an official statement. “By stating publicly that players signing for Napoli will be required to sign a waiver to participate in the African Cup of Nations as a condition of employment, De Laurentiis’s comments are likely to breach article 14 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations,” he continued. the.
Unlike other major representative events, such as the European Championship and the America’s Cup, the Africa Cup is usually held in the middle of the European season, a continent where many of its stars are active. This year’s World Cup in Qatar 2022 represents a break from the norm in staging in the middle of the season, although this was a decision made by the weather and the main leagues will stop for the competition.
In addition, CAF asks UEFA to initiate “a disciplinary investigation” against the president. “We have no doubt that Napoli and UEFA are as committed as CAF to these global humanitarian goals. Are we to assume that Napoli’s president is going to include similar restrictive conditions for players from South America, Asia and other confederations, banning them from play in their continental competitions, which are important for the development and growth of football worldwide?” he said.
The next Africa Cup is scheduled for January 2024 in the Ivory Coast, after being postponed from its initial date, from June to July 2023, due to weather problems.