A new AFCON deadline has been agreed, handing a major boost to Premier League clubs – including Liverpool and Manchester United.
Several English clubs are set to lose players to the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.
The likes of Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo are among the biggest names involved in this year’s tournament.
But a new FIFA ruling has handed Premier League clubs a welcome boost, allowing them to keep their stars for an extra week ahead of AFCON.
The competition starts on 21 December, with a number of top Premier League players featuring.
But FIFA have now said that clubs do not need to release players until 15 December.
This new deadline is a week later than initially though, meaning clubs will have their AFCON players for longer.
As a result, the likes of Mohamed Salah and others will be available for Premier League fixtures until that date.
Liverpool Boss Arne Slot Confirms Salah AFCON Departure
Speaking on Tuesday ahead of Liverpool’s game against Sunderland, Reds boss Arne Slot confirmed when he would be losing Mo Salah to the Egyptian national side.
“He’ll go on December 15,” said Slot.
“The way we have worked is that there’s a communication between all three – the player, the club and country.
“That’s nothing new. But FIFA have said December 15 is last day player has to be released.
“If the deadline will allow Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui to play in their clash against Bournemouth on December 15, is still to be seen.”
Liverpool and Man United will be among the beneficiaries, but nobody will be more affected than Sunderland.
The newly-promoted side have up to seven players expected to be departing for AFCON this year.
But this ruling means those stars could now be involved in the Tyne-Wear Derby against Newcastle United on 14 December.
Newcastle’s Yoane Wissa will miss AFCON after being left out of the DR Congo squad, handing Eddie Howe’s side a boost of their own.
Three sides are expected to be unaffected entirely by the tournament.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Leeds United all have no players set to represent countries at AFCON.
Ruben Amorim Says AFCON Deadline Offers Opportunity To Others
Manchester United’s AFCON crisis means manager Ruben Amorim may look to youth players.
Bryan Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui are all set to play in the tournament.
But like Arne Slot, United boss Ruben Amorim is also hoping to keep his players for as long as possible.
Ahead of last week’s 1-0 home defeat by Everton, he discussed the difficulties of losing stars to the tournament.
“We have the rules, when we have to release the players, so we will see.
“We are doing our job to try and maintain the players a little bit longer, but it is not just in our hands.:
He added: “We need to respect that, but we will try to do everything to protect the club, protect the players and protect the national team.”
Amorim also offered a more positive outlook on the situation.
“It is a circumstance that we already knew, but it is an opportunity for other players,” he said.
“We also have the Under-21s and we need to also send a message in that time, so we will see.
“But of course, it is not ideal because they [AFCON stars] are so important in our team and we don’t have a long squad.
“But our Academy is for this moment, and we will be ready.”
This year’s AFCON starts on 21 December, as hosts Morocco face Comoros.
The final will be played on 18 January.
