Foot Mondial – De Laurentiis against African football, UEFA ready to strike

The president of Naples Aurelio De Laurentiis caused controversy by announcing that he no longer wanted to recruit African players in the future, because of the dates of the CAN. CAF and all of African football reacted strongly and called on UEFA to sanction De Laurentiis.

A transfer that did not pass. After the departure of his emblematic central defender Kalidou Koulibaly from the side of Chelsea, the president of Naples Aurelio De Laurentiis made very bitter remarks against African football. The film producer has in his sights the African Cup of Nations, organized every two years and almost always in winter. A competition that has deprived him of his African players on many occasions, including Kalidou Koulibaly. ” Either they give up their right to participate in the African Cup of Nations or they will never be available between the AFCON and the South American competitions “, he said, announcing that he no longer wanted to recruit African players likely to play in the CAN.

CAF wants UEFA investigation against De Laurentiis

Words that were very badly received by African football. From the outset, his former defender Kalidou Koulibaly had reframed De Laurentiis, saying that we ” could not speak of a national team like this and that he did not think that what De Laurentiis said, was the opinion of the city of Naples “. This Monday, it was the African Football Confederation (CAF) which reacted by publishing a press release on this affair. She said to herself ” appalled by the irresponsible and unacceptable remarks held by De Laurentiis. She is now appealing to UEFA and demanding the opening of an investigation.

Confederation of African Football asks UEFA to “initiate disciplinary investigation against” Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis for his “We won’t sign African players unless they waive AFCON” comment.

CAF says the comment is “irresponsible and unacceptable.” pic.twitter.com/wsqpJAsoLL

— Gary Al-Smith (@garyalsmith) August 7, 2022

« De Laurentiis’ comments are likely to fall under Article 14 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations. CAF therefore urges UEFA to open a disciplinary investigation against him “, she said. Article 14 of the UEFA regulations specifies ” Any person falling within the scope of Article 3 who violates the human dignity of a person or a group of persons on any ground whatsoever, including skin color, race, religion, ethnic origin, gender or sexual orientation, incurs a suspension of at least ten matches or a specified period, or any other appropriate sanction “. The European body has not yet reacted, neither to the words of Aurelio De Laurentiis, nor to the call from CAF.