“Don’t talk to me about African players anymore. I love them, but if they sign with us in the future, let them give up playing the African Cup of Nations!” The words of Neapolitan President Aurelio De Laurentiis to the media Wall Street Italia did not fail to react in the world of football.
The Confederation of African Football was quick to express its outrage at the Italian leader’s decision. “CAF is appalled by the irresponsible and unacceptable remarks made by the president of Napoli,” she announced in a press release.
“By publicly stating that players who sign for Napoli must sign a waiver of AFCON participation as a condition of employment, De Laurentiis’ comments are likely to fall under Article 14 of the Disciplinary Regulations. UEFA. CAF therefore urges UEFA to open a disciplinary investigation against him,” added the African football body.
Koulibaly demands “respect for all nationalities”
The article of the UEFA regulations in question promises that “any person (…) who violates the human dignity of a person or a group of persons for any reason whatsoever, including the color of the skin, race, religion, ethnic origin, sex or sexual orientation, incurs a suspension of at least ten games or a specified period, or any other appropriate sanction”.
But the CAN was not the only one to react to the words of Aurelio De Laurentiis. Having just left Napoli to join Chelsea, defender Kalidou Koulibaly was one of the first to respond to the Italian, saying it was “unfair to talk about an African national team like that”, while asking, “respect for all nationalities”.
