Africa Cup of Nations: The tournament is being ‘respected’, says former England striker Ian Wright
Former England and Arsenal striker Ian Wright says the Africa Cup of Nations is being “respected” by some negative media.
The 24-team tournament kicks off on January 9 and will feature a host of Premier League and European stars.
Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira is among those who will also be calling for the tournament be more respected.
“Is there ever a tournament more respected than the Africa Cup of Nations?” Wright said on Instagram.
In the media coverage around Afcon, he stated: “There is no greater honor than representing your country. The coverage is completely tinged with racism.
“We played our Euros across 10 countries in the middle of the pandemic and there were no problems. But Cameroon, the only country to host a tournament, was a problem.
“There were players who were asked if they would have the honor of being called up to their national team. Imagine if it were an English player representing the Three Lions. You can imagine that anger. Are not?”
Former Newcastle, Tottenham and Norwich defender Sebastien Bassong, who has made 18 caps for Cameroon, says he realizes the double standard.
“People don’t really have any respect for the Cup of African Nations,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“At the end of the day, our national teams are just as important as the European teams and others.
“When I’m in the dressing room and every time I’m in a competition or on an international break, the respect and consideration is completely different from the club and the people from the club about how we go. travel or when should we go back, or could we miss the international holiday?”
Ajax Ivory Coast striker Sebastien Haller said suggesting a player want to miss the tournament to play for their club “shows disrespect to Africa”.
He told the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf: “This will [question] Ever been asked a European player aiming for the European Championship?
“Of course I’m going to represent Ivory Coast. It’s the highest honor.”
However, the 27-year-old said having to miss club games was “very upsetting”. Haller added: “I hate having to choose between my country and my club.”
Although several Premier League clubs will be without key players in January – including Crystal Palace, who are set to lose Cheikhou Kouyate, Wilfried Zaha and Jordan Ayew – Eagles manager Vieira has echoed the view. by Haller.
“I respect and understand the passion and importance of players leaving and representing their countries, so I would never stop any player from going to the Cup of Nations. Africa,” said Vieira, who won the World Cup and European Championship as a French player. .
“I believe that competition should be more respected – because this competition is just as important as the European Championship.”
Championship hopes Liverpool face significant absences, with Premier League top scorer Mohamed Salah, compatriot striker Sadio Mane and midfielder Naby Keita all expected to attend the tournament.
The Manchester City leadership will lose Riyad Mahrez, while second-place Chelsea will be without goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and West Ham’s Said Benrahma will face Algeria.
Leeds United, Newcastle United, Norwich City and Tottenham are the only Premier League clubs not to lose a player to the tournament.
Players are allowed to play for their clubs until 3 January before leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations after Fifa law required clubs to release players by 27 December. was changed “in the spirit of goodwill and solidarity”.
“A lot of the best players in Europe right now are Africans,” says Wright.
“If we love them at the club level, why can’t we love them at the international level like their rivals globally? Why does this league keep getting so many defeats?
“I have to shout out to players like Sebastien Haller who are standing firm against the media backlash, plus Patrick Vieira for coming out and speaking about this.
“This is why it’s important to have a manager of color who can let people understand where his roots are and how important this tournament is to the people of Africa.
“I want to wish Cameroon every success in hosting this tournament and send the best to the players and fans.”
You can Follow Africa Cup of Nations news on the BBC, with one of the last 10 matches of the tournament being shown live.
