Everton midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye has refused to be drawn on FIFA’s decision to delay players heading to the Africa Cup of Nations.
WIW Sport cover comments from the Everton midfielder today. He’s been speaking to journalists at a press conference after linking up with Senegal ahead of the tournament.
FIFA have angered African football federations ahead of the tournament by announcing clubs can keep players until December 15th. The decision was made to mimic the 2022 World Cup.
It meant that African nations were forced to wait a full week longer before getting hold of their players. For some, that’s proven to be something of a logistical nightmare. For example, Senegal have had little time to prepare for their first game of the tournament against Botswana on 23rd December.
Indeed, they are still waiting for some of their players to arrive. Sunderland’s Habib Diarra, for example, is waiting until their Premier League game this weekend before travelling to link up with his nation.
Unfair contrasts between clubs
That wasn’t the case for Gueye, or his Everton teammate Iliman N’Diaye, who both travelled after the defeat to Chelsea last weekend. FIFA’s decision is a hot topic, particularly given the tournament was already moved to accommodate the new Club World Cup schedule in the summer.
Gueye wouldn’t be drawn on the matter, though. He insists that any complaints will be done behind the scenes.
“It’s a decision that was made, and we respect it as players,” he said.
“We’re not the ones making the decisions. If we have something to say, we’ll have to say it privately or go to the authorities. We’re not going to do that in front of the cameras.
“As players, we have to stay focused. We’re here to play football, not to create controversy. These conditions are the same for all the other teams. It’s up to us to go to this AFCON and try to win it, that’s all.”
