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AFCON: European Clubs Threaten To Withhold Players

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4 years ago

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Europe’s top clubs are threatening not to release players for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon over fears surrounding its Covid-19 health protocol.

The European Club Association, which represents leading clubs across the continent, made its concerns known to FIFA in a letter seen by AFP.

“With regards to applicable protocols, as far as we are aware, CAF (the Confederation of African football) has not yet made available a suitable medical and operational protocol for the AFCON tournament, in the absence of which clubs will not be able to release players for the tournament,” the ECA told football’s world governing body.

The Cup of Nations, which was already postponed last year due to the health crisis, is due to start in Cameroon on January 9 and run until February 6.

Many of Africa’s leading players are based at clubs in Europe, including Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City, Achraf Hakimi, and Idrissa Gana Gueye of Paris Saint-Germain.

The ECA also raised concerns about the danger of players being unavailable for even longer periods due to the potential for travel restrictions or mandatory quarantine being introduced, in particular in relation to the emerging threat posed by the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

According to FIFA’s rules for the release of players for international duty during the pandemic, clubs can retain players if “there is a mandatory quarantine of at least five days on arrival” in the place “where a national team match is supposed to take place” or when the player returns to his club.

An executive board meeting of the ECA — which represents almost 250 European clubs — on December 2 said these principles “must be strictly respected”, according to the letter sent to FIFA Deputy Secretary General Mattias Grafstroem.

“Should this not be the case…players (should) not be released for international duty”.

 ‘Unmanageable’ 

Clubs could lose players who are called up for the 24-team tournament from as early as December 27, which is particularly problematic for those based in England, where there is a busy schedule of matches over the holiday period in late December and early January.

“For certain clubs expected to release players, including English and French clubs, domestic competition matches are due to take place up until early January and hence the overlap of the 2022 AFCON release dates…are unmanageable,” added the ECA, whose chairman is Qatar’s Nasser al-Khelaifi, also the president of PSG.

CAF general secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba is currently in Cameroon overseeing final preparations for the delayed tournament.

The organisation refused to comment on the ECA threat when contacted by AFP but, in an update on its website, said that Mosengo-Omba “urged everyone to work around the clock to ensure that everything is in place for the opening game”.

However, the pandemic would appear to pose a far bigger threat to the successful staging of the tournament than concerns about the host nation’s readiness.

The CAF update said its president, Patrice Motsepe, had been in discussions with the Cameroonian government “on sanitary approach and Covid-19 protocols”.

When contacted by AFP, a senior official in the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot) dismissed any suggestion the tournament could be called off as “fake news”.

AFP

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IOC Introduces New Eligibility Rule for Women’s Olympic Events Ahead of 2028 Games

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3 weeks ago

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March 26, 2026

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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced a major policy shift regarding eligibility for women’s events at the Olympic Games, stating that only biological females will be permitted to compete in the category moving forward.

In a statement released Thursday, the IOC confirmed that all athletes seeking to participate in women’s competitions will be required to undergo a one-time Sex Determining Region Y (SRY) gene test. The test is designed to identify the presence of the Y chromosome, typically associated with male biological development.

According to the IOC, the new regulation will not be applied retroactively but will come into full effect at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry said the decision was guided by scientific research and medical expertise.

“The scientific evidence is very clear. Male chromosomes give performance advantages in sports that rely on strength, power, or endurance,” Coventry stated. “At the Olympic Games, even the smallest margins can determine victory or defeat. It is therefore essential to maintain fairness and safety in competition.”

The IOC added that all international sports federations must adopt the policy for participation in IOC-sanctioned elite events, including both Summer and Winter Olympic Games.

The move aligns with a similar stance taken by Donald Trump, whose 2025 executive order in the United States restricted transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports.

The decision is expected to spark continued global debate around inclusion, fairness, and the role of science in competitive athletics as preparations intensify for the next Olympic cycle.

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Messi Hits Historic 900th Goal but Inter Miami Crash Out of Champions Cup

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4 weeks ago

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March 19, 2026

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Lionel Messi reached yet another extraordinary milestone on Thursday night, netting the 900th goal of his illustrious career during Inter Miami CF’s 1-1 draw against Nashville SC in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

The 38-year-old icon becomes just the second player in football history to reach the landmark, joining his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo in the exclusive 900-goal club.

Messi’s milestone goal came in the seventh minute, as he fired a low, powerful strike past the Nashville defence, igniting early celebrations among the home supporters. The goal also marked a remarkable 21-year journey since his first senior strike for FC Barcelona in 2005.

Since moving to Inter Miami in 2023, Messi has scored 81 goals for the club, adding to his staggering career tally, which includes 672 goals for Barcelona, 32 for Paris Saint-Germain, and 115 for the Argentina national team.

However, the historic achievement was overshadowed by disappointment for Inter Miami. Nashville SC found an equaliser in the 74th minute, and the match ended 1-1. With the first leg having finished goalless, the tie was decided on away goals, leading to Miami’s elimination from the competition.

Despite the team’s exit, the night will be remembered for another defining chapter in Messi’s legendary career—one that further cements his place among football’s greatest ever players.

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CAF Awards Morocco 2025 AFCON Title After Overturning Final Result

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4 weeks ago

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March 17, 2026

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially overturned the result of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, stripping Senegal of their 1-0 victory and awarding a 3-0 win to Morocco.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the CAF Appeal Committee ruled that Senegal forfeited the final in accordance with Article 84 of the competition’s regulations. As a result, Morocco’s national team, the Atlas Lions, have been declared champions of the tournament.

“The CAF Appeal Board decided that… the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match… with the result recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF),” the statement read.

The decision also addressed disciplinary issues arising from the match, including sanctions involving Moroccan midfielder Ismael Saibari and other incidents. However, CAF upheld the forfeiture ruling, confirming Morocco as the new holders of the continental title.

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