Everton head coach David Moyes has stressed that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) should be accorded full respect by European clubs, despite the recurring disagreements over its timing.
The tournament’s scheduling has long been a source of tension, with European clubs and African national teams frequently clashing over player release obligations. The issue intensified recently after FIFA ruled that clubs must release players just one week before the 2025 AFCON, a shift from the previous two-week mandatory release period.
Moyes, who is set to lose two important squad members — Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye — during the competition, insisted that clubs must allow players to represent their countries.
“We have to respect completely the Africa Cup of Nations,” Moyes told a press conference on Friday.
“The players will go to play in the tournament for their countries, and rightly so. It’s a great thing they get selected for their countries, and we hope they do well.”
