The World League does not want to release players for the Nations Cup until January 3rd

The World League (WLF) has written to FIFA’s global governing body and the African Football Confederation (CAF) that it will not release any players for the African National Cup (AFCON) until January 3.

FIFA regulations state clubs must release players to AFCON by December 27, which is 13 days before the start of the tournament. WLF said the date was “unreasonable and disproportionate” for many of the clubs and players working this month.

The WLF, which represents more than 40 professional leagues, said it had written to FIFA and CAF twice last month, but had received no response, and any sanctions for not releasing players would be “null and void”.

“As stated in the unanswered letter of 19 November, more than a month ago, we believe that the FIFA rule needs to be adjusted,” WLF Secretary General Jerome Perlemuter wrote in a letter sent to Reuters on Thursday.

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“As a result, in order to mitigate the impact of the decisions taken at AFCON, we believe that the dismissal of the players will begin on January 3 for clubs and players who have played hours before.

“We also consider that any sanction imposed by FIFA will be considered abusive, null and void.”

Reuters has contacted FIFA and CAF for comment.

Although most European leagues are coming to an end during the winter break, the English Premier League has scheduled three matches between Boxing Day on 26 December and the first week of January.

The African National Cup will be held from January 9 to February 9. 6. In January and February, its usual loophole was changed at the request of Cameroon to prevent the rainy season.

The WLF stressed that the clubs are “releasing players for free while they pay their salaries” for the tournament, which is being held in the winter, “against the initial commitment made by CAF in 2017 (the finals will be played in June and July)”.

The 2019 tournament won by Algeria was held in June-July, which is the tightest season in most leagues.

“Our clubs are happy to be committed to this solidarity scheme. However, we hope that FIFA and CAF will not take decisions in isolation. We call for more dialogue and cooperation on issues related to the match schedule,” added Perlemuter.