At the end of a long soap opera and at the cost of exceptional and expensive procedures such as the use of private jets, most African selections were finally able to count on their expatriate players in Europe, and in particular in France, for the 5th and 6th CAN 2021 qualifying days. Criticized for its silence in this matter, the African Football Confederation (CAF) claims to have participated in the discussions and played a role in the exemption granted at the last moment by the French authorities to African players.
“This is a quick update on how the matches will be held in Africa, including discussions regarding the release of African footballers in Europe and beyond, during FIFA international truce in March. As you know, after fruitful discussions with the French government and the French Football Federation, we finally obtained the exemption from the setline for foreign players from the African continent made available to their national team ”, wrote the new CAF general secretary, Veron Mosengo-Omba, this Sunday in a press release.
« The results obtained are the culmination of a collaborative effort, on the one hand, between President Infantino and FIFA and on the other hand, President Motsepe and myself, in my capacity as Secretary General », assured the leader. “The release of African players based in Europe and other continents is essential for the performance of African national teams. It also ensures the quality and compliance with world-level standards of the Africa Cup of Nations as well as the competitiveness of African national teams at the FIFA World Cup. «
It remains to be seen whether the story will be the same on the side of the African federations, which have often felt as if they were left to fend for themselves against European clubs. In the defense of CAF, this problem arose during a period of « transfer of power » …ACP/