CAF urges FIFA to ban Napoli’s owner De Laurentiis for AFCON comments

Unlike other major representative events that are usually held between seasons, AFCON is usually held midway through the European season, where many of its stars ply their trade. Despite all the struggles,

took 13 points from a possible 15 from their first five league games of the year through January and February, but that didn’t hold De Laurentiis forbidding Napoli players from playing in the

, as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has launched a stinging condemnation, asking FIFA to initiate disciplinary investigation against the Napoli president.

"

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

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"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. 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?"

Due to the AFCON 2021 tournament that was held last January and February, Napoli missed Cameroon international Andre-Franck

and Senegal defender Koulibaly while Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen missed out because of an injury.

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