Footballers heading to next month's Africa Cup of Nations finals will be allowed to play for their clubs until January 3, the Confederation of African Football [CAF] said on Sunday. Many were set to miss matches because of the rule that dictates clubs must release players 14 days before a continental championship or the World Cup. But CAF has agreed to allow players to play for their clubs between December 27 and January 3 before joining up with their national squads for the Cup of Nations finals, which kick-off in Cameroon on January 9. Both organisations have been critical of the timing of the Cup of Nations in the middle of the club season in Europe, where the majority of players involved the tournament play their club football. But FIFA said that CAF had decided to offer relief to clubs.

Source: The North Africa Journal December 26, 2021 21:45 UTC