In a surprise move, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis says his club will not sign African players anymore unless they agree not to play in the African Cup of Nations.
The 73-year-old claims to ‘love’ Napoli’s African players but regrets having to pay them so much given how much time they spend away from the team.
During a live-streamed event, De Laurentiis yelled, “I told them guys, don’t talk to me about Africans anymore!”
I adore these players, but they are never accessible between the Africa Cup of Nations and the South American World Cup qualifying matches, unless they sign a document stating they won’t participate.
‘We are the idiots paying salaries merely to send them playing throughout the world,’ he added.
This new rule spells doom to two African stars, Zambo Franck-Anguissa and Victor Osimhen, who are important players for their national sides.
Former Napoli captain Kalidou Koulibaly is the defending AFCON champion, having led Senegal to victory earlier this year.