The owner of Napoli, Aurelio Di Laurentiis, has pledged never to again bring in players from Africa to his team.
This statement was made during a live-streamed event by the contentious owner of the Italian Serie A team.
Nothing, in his opinion, can persuade him to sign African athletes unless those athletes agree to forgo competing in the AFCON, or African Cup of Nations.
The club owner views the AFCON, which takes place every two years in January and February, as a hassle for both his club and the top European clubs as a whole.
The competition takes place in the middle of the European season, which means that clubs must be without their players for a whole month.
Napoli lost Koulibaly to Senegal, Anguissa to Cameroon, and Ounas to Algeria at the most recent AFCON, but they wouldn’t give Victor Osimhen to Nigeria.
As a result of Koulibaly’s transfer to Chelsea, Napoli now have three African players on their squad. Aurelio Di Laurentiis has stated that he will not recruit another African player unless they agree not to compete in the AFCON.
Napoli owner Aurelio Di Laurentiis said at a livestreamed event that he will not sign another African player unless that player signs a decree to not participate in AFCON. One of the craziest things I have ever heard or read during my life following football.
— Maxi (@MaaxiAngelo) August 2, 2022