Europe in trouble with African footballers

Kriralok Desk: The international break is underway in European club football. Players are on leave to play international matches for their respective countries in the FIFA window. In addition to UEFA European Championship qualifiers, Latin American FIFA World Cup qualifiers, almost all continental teams have participated in friendly matches in the ‘FIFA Window’. The players had to leave. Therefore, various European and Asian leagues had to be closed.

During the football league, the international break is given according to the FIFA window. But there is a problem with the African Cup of Nations tournament. The best football tournament of the African continent will be organized in Ivory Coast in January-February 2024. Although it was planned to be held in June-July 2023, the tournament was postponed due to the weather in Ivory Coast. English Premier League clubs are in trouble because of that.

January and February are an important period for English football. At this time, the league game became crowded. By mid-season, the potential for any team to compete for the title, relegation and play in European competition becomes clear. The situation is the same in other European leagues. But England has more problems. Because there are maximum 43 players playing in African national team in EPL. Stars like Mohamed Salah, Andre Onana, Thomas Partey, Idrissa Gueye, Mohammed Qudus, Alex Iwobi are one of the hopes of various EPL clubs.

If the squad will be called for the African Cup of Nations, there is no way to not leave the footballers. Because it is a continental event. According to the rules of FIFA, the clubs are obliged to release the players. Not only EPL, but also many African players in other European leagues. Victor Osimhen plays in the Italian league or Achraf Hakimi and others in the French domestic league. They will also miss the European matches in the month of January and February. There is no doubt that the clubs are going to be in crisis.

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