Mali head coach Tom Saintfiet has strongly criticised FIFA and European football clubs over the decision to stage the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) every four years instead of the traditional two-year cycle, describing the move as financially motivated and imposed on Africa.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Belgian coach spoke on Thursday in Rabat ahead of Mali’s AFCON Group A clash against hosts Morocco on Friday at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
“I am very shocked with it and very disappointed. It is the pride of African football, with the best players in African football,” Saintfiet told reporters.
“To take it away and make it every four years, I could understand if it was a request for any reason from Africa, but it is all instructed by the big people from UEFA, the big clubs in Europe and also FIFA, and that makes it so sad.”
Saintfiet, 52, has coached several African national teams, including The Gambia, whom he led to the quarter-finals of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations. He was appointed Mali coach in August last year.
The Africa Cup of Nations has traditionally been held every two years since its inaugural edition in 1957. However, Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe announced last weekend that the tournament would switch to a four-year cycle after the planned 2028 edition.
“We fought for so long to be respected, to then listen to Europe to change your history — because this is a history going back 68 years — only because of financial requests from clubs who use the load on players as the excuse,” Saintfiet said.
He argued that concerns over player welfare were inconsistent with the expansion of major competitions in Europe.
“They create a World Cup with 48 teams, a Champions League with no champions,” he said.
“If you don’t get relegated in England you almost get into Europe — it is so stupid,” he added jokingly.
Saintfiet maintained that if protecting players was the genuine objective, European football should reduce, rather than expand, its competitions.
“If you want to protect players then you play the Champions League with only the champions. You don’t create more competitions with more load. Then you can still play AFCON every two years,” he said.
Describing Africa as central to world football, Saintfiet said the new AFCON cycle disrespects the continent.
“Africa is the biggest football continent in the world. All the big stars in Europe are Africans, so I think we disrespect Africa by going to every four years,” he said.
“I am very sad about that — I hoped that the love for Africa would win over the pressure of Europe.”
AFP
