Aurelio De Laurentiis has vowed to avoid signing African players unless they guarantee their stay at the club during AFCONs.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has condemned Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis for his recent comments about the Africa Cup of Nations.
In an interview last week, De Laurentiis revealed his side won’t sign a new African player until they vow to waive AFCON duties.
The decision comes after the club missed a few of their key players during the last year’s tournament. Unlike other major FIFA tournaments, AFCON usually takes place during the European league competitions.
“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,” read an official statement.
“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 has recently decided to move the upcoming 2023 tournament from July to the next year’s January over weather concerns.
The confederation has urged UEFA to use its legal status to punish De Laurentiis for his comments.
The statement adds: “CAF urges UEFA to initiate disciplinary investigation against him. We have no doubt that Napoli and UEFA are as committed as CAF is to these global humanitarian objectives.
“Are we to assume that the chairman of Napoli is going to include similar restrictive conditions to players from South America, Asia and other Confederations prohibiting them from playing in their Continental competitions which are important for the development and growth of football globally?”
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