August 7, 2022
The brief from today:
CAF responds to De Laurentiis
A few days ago, Napoli president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, made some reckless statements saying he would only sign African players if they agreed not to participate in the AFCON. He justified him comments by saying the continental tournament takes place midway through the club season, and he didn’t think it right that he pay the salaries of players who were absent from club duties. In response, Africa’s football governing body, CAF, has now released a statement on the matter. CAF’s press release made it quite clear how upsetting the comments were by saying, “CAF is appalled by the irresponsible and unacceptable remarks made by Napoli President, Mr. Aurelio De Laurentiis on African players and the Africa Cup of Nations.” They continued by including a legal statute that exposes De Laurentiis and UEFA stating: “By publicly declaring that players who sign for Napoli must sign a waiver denouncing participation in the Africa Cup of Nations as a condition of employment, De Laurentiis’s comments are likely to fall under Article 14 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations. CAF therefore urges UEFA to initiate disciplinary investigation against him.” Bringing up this angle now involves UEFA, after the European governing body has been conspicuously silent on the matter thus far. CAF also highlighted the singling out of the AFCON by De Laurentiis by asking if he also planned to have “similar restrictive conditions to players from South America, Asia and other Confederations prohibiting them playing in their continental competitions”. Whether any disciplinary measures are taken on De Laurentiis will largely depend on if he follows through with his declaration. Certainly if he does, and indeed forces players to sign waivers, then UEFA will have to act. Even before such extreme conditions, however, the least they could do is provide clarity on their position rather than continued silence.
Contracts terminated in Italy, followed by moves to France
Reports of a contract termination between Inter and Chilean forward, Alexis Sanchez, have been repeatedly confirmed and denied over the past few weeks. This time, however, the indications seem to be pointing toward a final parting of ways. The severance fee has been the sticking point, but it appears that both sides have agreed something in the range of €4.5 million. Sanchez seems to already have his next destination sorted as a move to Ligue 1 side, Marseille, beckons. If he make that move, then he will follow similar footsteps to the ones taken by his former Arsenal teammate, Aaron Ramsey. After extensive discussions with another Italian side, Juventus, Ramsey was finally able to reach an agreement to terminate his contract last month. Upon departing Juventus, the Welshman decided France would be his next destination, choosing Nice as his new club. Ramsey has started the new season on the right foot scoring the equalizing goal against newly promoted, Toulouse, earlier today. With Sanchez rumored to be signing a two-year deal with Marseille, he will also be hoping to have a bright start in Ligue 1.
Sanchez (left) will likely move from Italy to the South of France like Ramsey (right) recently did