CAF Launch Scathing Attack On De Laurentiis Over AFCON Jibe
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has taken a swipe at Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis for claiming that he will only sign African players who agree not to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations.
The AFCON tournament usually takes place in January and February, in the middle of the European club season and players are confronted with a club versus country dilemma as they usually have to choose between staying with their clubs or flying down to represent their countries.
CAF have made attempts to play the tournament in the summer when the European season is over as it happened in the 2019 edition but meteorological concerns have seen the dates reverted to the start of the year.
De Laurentiis recently claimed sensationally that Napoli will not sign any African players unless they agreed to miss the AFCON tournament but CAF have not held back in their criticism of the outspoken Napoli capo.
"CAF is appalled by the irresponsible and unacceptable remarks made by Napoli President, Mr Aurelio De Laurentiis on African players and the Africa Cup of Nations," read an official statement.
"By publicly declaring that players who sign for Napoli must sign a waiver denouncing participation in the Africa Cup of Nations as a condition of employment, De Laurentiis' comments are likely to fall under Article 14 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations.
"CAF therefore urges UEFA to initiate disciplinary investigation against him. We have no doubt that Napoli and UEFA are as committed as CAF is to these global humanitarian objectives.
"Are we to assume that the chairman of Napoli is going to include similar restrictive conditions to players from South America, Asia and other Confederations prohibiting them from playing in their Continental competitions which are important for the development and growth of football globally?"
The next edition of the Africa Cup of Nations will be played in January/February 2024 in the Ivory Coast.
