CAIRO: The African Football Confederation shows its rejection of the words of the president of Napoli, who declared that he would not sign more African internationals if they do not give up playing in the African Cup of Nations

De Laurentiis had said the only African players he would sign were those who would agree not to participate in the African championship which takes place every two years in January and February.

The clashing fixtures issue has been a running sore between CAF and European clubs for many years.

A CAF statement said:

“CAF is dismayed by the irresponsible and unacceptable comments made by the president of Napoli, Aurelio De Laurentiis, about African players and the African Cup of Nations.

“The African Confederation condemns De Laurentiis’s ban on African players. By publicly declaring that the players who sign for Napoli will be required to sign a waiver to participate in the African Cup of Nations as a condition of employment, De Laurentiis’s comments are likely to breach article 14 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations.”

In addition, CAF assured that “it is committed to the role of football in Africa, Europe, North and South America and Asia to unite people from different cultures, ethnic groups, linguistics, races and religious communities. We have no doubt that Napoli and UEFA are committed to these global humanitarian goals.”

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