Clubs will be able to keep their players for an additional week.
International footballers affected by the African Cup of Nations in Cameroon, which will take place from January 9 to February 6, will be able to play with their club until January 3, the International Football Federation (Fifa) announced on Sunday (December 26).
While the official date of release of players for the selections participating in the CAN was initially December 27, the African Football Confederation (CAF) now allows clubs to keep their players until January 3 inclusive, says Fifa in a letter addressed to the European Association of Clubs (ECA), leagues and European federations.
The English clubs, who play several days of the championship including Boxing Day by January 3, and their French counterparts who will play the round of 16 of the Coupe de France (January 2 and 3) are particularly affected by this decision.
Fears around Covid-19
"This decision is taken in a spirit of goodwill and solidarity with the clubs concerned given the fact that they have been affected by the upsurge in Covid-19 cases," FIFA writes in its letter.
Last week, the ECA threatened not to release international players for CAN, worrying about the health protocol of the event against the backdrop of a pandemic.
In addition to the health protocol of the tournament, the ECA especially pointed out the risk of an absence of internationals longer than the period of availability provided for, due to the "quarantines and travel restrictions" linked in particular to the emergence of the Omicron variant. of the coronavirus.
With AFP
The summary of the week
France 24 invites you to come back to the news that marked the week
I subscribe
Take international news everywhere with you!
Download the France 24 application
google-play-badge_FR