CAF: UEFA called to launch disciplinary proceedings following comments by A. De Laurentiis (Napoli)

"The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is appalled by the irresponsible and unacceptable remarks made by SSC Napoli (Serie A TIM) president, Mr Aurelio De Laurentiis on African players and the Africa Cup of Nations," said the body on 08/08/2022.

CAF is responding to the statement of the Italian president to Wall Street Italia (on 02/08/2022), following the transfer of Senegalese international defender Kalidou Koulibaly, winner of the TotalEnergies AFCON Cameroon 2021, from Napoli to Chelsea FC (Premier League): "Don't talk to me about African players anymore, unless they sign something confirming that they'll back out of playing the Africa Cup of Nations."

"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’ comments are likely to fall under Article 14 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations. CAF therefore urges UEFA to initiate disciplinary investigation against him."

"Are we to assume that the chairman of Napoli is going to include similar restrictive…