FIFA has approved an additional one-week extension for Premier League clubs to retain their stars set to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Teams no longer need to release players by the originally scheduled deadline, but can postpone it to December 15 – seven days later than initially planned. This decision is undoubtedly a major boost for teams affected by the departure of players to the Morocco-hosted tournament.
The ruling means Sunderland’s seven first-team players will be able to take part in the first top-flight Tyne-Wear Derby in nine years, which is scheduled to take place against Newcastle on December 14.
Manchester United could also benefit, as they may field Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui when Rúben Amorim’s side host Bournemouth the following day. However, since the match date coincides with FIFA’s new deadline for clubs to release players, it remains unclear whether they will be eligible to play.
Liverpool will be able to keep Mohamed Salah, who was unused against West Ham, for their December 13 clash with Brighton, while his Egyptian compatriot Omar Marmoush will be available for Manchester City’s game against Crystal Palace on December 14.
It is estimated that up to 45 Premier League players will leave their respective clubs to participate in the AFCON, which kicks off on December 21.
Only four clubs – Arsenal, Chelsea, Leeds United and Newcastle United – have no players selected for the tournament. Newcastle had been concerned about Eberechi Eze’s situation, but the injured forward, who has yet to make an appearance since his £55 million move from Brentford, was not named in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s squad.
Sunderland are the most affected team, with Aïssa Mandi, Jérémy Doku, Adama Traoré, Arthur Masuaku, Renildo, Abdoullah Ba and Papy Djilobodji all potentially missing key festive fixtures due to the AFCON.
Wolves, who are winless, bottom of the table with just 2 points from 13 games, are expected to lose up to five players – one more than Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest. It is understood that Manchester United is one of the clubs that pushed FIFA to delay the player release deadline.
If a player’s national team reaches the final on January 18, they could miss up to eight league games and one FA Cup third-round tie.
