WLF backs Liverpool over game-changing AFCON argument

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The World Leagues Forum has voiced support for Liverpool and other clubs in their argument over AFCON. The tournament will begin next month.

The Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on January 9th and that brings complications for clubs. After all, competing nations will want their players during the middle of the season. There’s no obvious way around that – certainly not one that suits everyone.

Now, FIFA believes clubs should release their players on December 27th, giving them plenty of time before the tournament with their national teams. That’s the same amount of time they’d get ahead of the European Championships, for instance.

But clubs don’t want to do that. Keeping their players for as long as possible means they get them for more games. Liverpool are a fine example of this.

Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita will all play at the tournament. If they depart on the 27th, though, the trio will miss games against Leicester City and Chelsea. Those are massive fixtures against top teams.

If Liverpool could have their way, the players would depart on January 3rd – right after the Chelsea game. It wouldn’t give them many days with their national sides ahead of AFCON but Liverpool wouldn’t suffer nearly as much.

World Leagues Forum backs Liverpool in AFCON dispute

The World Leagues Forum – a body that represents the world’s professional leagues – released a statement this week claiming players won’t be released until January 3rd. They’ve, unsurprisingly, completely backed the clubs on this one.

It’s certainly a boost for the likes of Liverpool, who are far from alone in this one. Not that it’s gone down wonderfully well elsewhere.

“We have always been gentlemen to the clubs,” said Senegal boss Aliou Cisse.

“After there are the FIFA texts which stipulate that the clubs must release the players and I believe that will not be a problem. As for Senegal, we will have all our players, even those who play in England.”

Now, clubs will definitely release their players eventually – we can’t imagine a situation where they don’t. But we doubt the likes of Senegal will get them as early as they want. From a Liverpool point of view, that’s undoubtedly a good thing.