European Clubs Express Concern over AFCON

The European Club Association (ECA) has expressed its “deep concerns” regarding player welfare before the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations and is seeking urgent talks with world governing body Fifa.

The independent body highlighted the “worsening public health situation” following the emergence of the Omicron variant of coronavirus, which was first discovered in South Africa last month.

The developments may lead to a fresh dispute over releasing players for international duty next month.
The Nations Cup begins in Cameroon on January 9 and runs until February 6, while there is another international window between January 24 and February 2 for some other confederations.

The ECA wants to work with world governing body Fifa to “ensure all necessary precautions are in place to protect players and club interests” as the health situation “continues to deteriorate in an alarming manner”.
Countries have begun reintroducing travel bans, quarantine requirements and other restrictions because of concerns about the impact of the Omicron variant.

The United Kingdom has added 10 southern African countries to its travel red list.
The ECA is understood to be desperate to avoid a repeat of the problems during September’s international window.

At that time Premier League clubs refused to release players for duty in red-list countries, because at the time they would have been required to quarantine in a government-approved hotel for 10 days.