AFCON 2021: European Clubs Association Tell CAF They May Not Release African Players For AFCON

The European Club Association [ECA] has written to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), informing them of their unwillingness to release players for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

The competition is scheduled to begin next month in Cameroon having been postponed earlier this year.

With the tournament fast approaching, the 24 participating countries are hopeful of having their stars in the European leagues released to play a part in the continental showpiece.

However, the ECA has expressed its concerns regarding the release of players for the tournament, stating that the ‘the aggravation of the Covid-19 pandemic and the consequent implementation of new restrictions by various governmental authorities’ are making it difficult to agree to the request from CAF.

AFCON is expected to commence on January 9, 2022 in Cameroon.

Below is the letter from the ECA to CAF:

Source: Kweku Lawrence