'FIFA Only Needs Africa During Elections' - Angola Coach Fumes at AFCON ‘Disrespect’ After Latest Directive

Angola coach Patrice Beaumelle has hit out at FIFA for what he feels is bending the rules to favour European clubs at the expense of African nations.

This follows a directive from FIFA that clubs can release African players seven days before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations which will see teams hold onto their stars up to December 15 ahead of the tournament that kicks off on December 21 in Morocco.

African nations had hoped to have players in camp earlier to begin preparations with most sides set to hit camp on Monday, December 8 but they will have to start without their European-based stars whose clubs have been given an extension by FIFA.

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That has not gone down well with Frenchman Beaumelle, who feels FIFA does not respect Africa and only takes the continent seriously at election time.

“FIFA only needs Africa during elections, but it doesn’t value our competitions like AFCON or give them the recognition they deserve,” Beaumelle said as per Africa Soccer.

While FIFA has defended the move, citing the same approach ahead of the 2022 World Cup, African nations feel it is a continuation of a pattern that sees the continent get the short end of the stick.

Under the existing FIFA law, clubs are supposed to release players 14 days before any major tournament but ahead of AFCON 2025, European Club Association, UEFA and several national leagues lobbied FIFA to reduce the window to give their clubs time with their African players for major league and continental tournaments.

The bone of contention is that AFCON is being held at a time when European clubs are in a busy period and need all their players with top clubs like Liverpool, Manchester United, Napoli, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City having some stars that they rely on regularly.