FIFA Allows Premier League Clubs Extra Week Before AFCON Player Release

Premier League clubs have been handed a significant boost after FIFA agreed to push back the release date for players heading to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Instead of leaving by the earlier deadline, players can now remain with their clubs until 15 December.

Daily Mail Sport reports that the decision gives teams an extra seven days with their African stars before they travel to Morocco for the tournament, which begins on December 21.

The ruling could not have come at a better time for Sunderland, who were facing the prospect of going into their first Tyne-Wear derby against Newcastle in nine years without several key figures.

With the derby set for December 14, the Black Cats will now be able to call on all seven of their AFCON-bound first-team players.

Manchester United may also benefit from the change. The club could still have Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui available when they host Bournemouth on 15 December. It remains unclear whether they will be permitted to feature, given the match falls on the exact date by which FIFA insists players must be released.

Liverpool are set to keep Mohamed Salah for their match against Brighton on 13 December. Omar Marmoush will also remain available for Crystal Palace’s home fixture against Manchester City a day later.

Around 45 Premier League players are expected to leave for the competition, although Arsenal, Chelsea, Leeds and Newcastle will not lose any squad members. Newcastle had concerns over Yoane Wissa, but the striker, who is recovering from injury, was not selected by DR Congo.

Sunderland will be hardest hit during the festive run, with Chemesdine Talbi, Simon Adingra, Bertrand Traore, Arthur Masuaku, Reinildo, Noah Sadiki and Habib Diarra all set to join their national teams.

Wolves, who sit bottom of the league with just two points from 13 matches, could lose up to five players. Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest are expected to lose four each.

Manchester United were among the clubs lobbying for the extension, mindful that players whose nations progress to the final on 18 January could miss as many as eight club fixtures and an FA Cup third-round tie.

There have been cases in the past of players joining late even after FIFA’s official deadline. Andre Onana, who is not included in Cameroon’s latest squad, famously delayed his arrival for the 2023 tournament so he could feature for Manchester United against Tottenham.

Source: Naijanews