FIFA president Joseph Sepp Blatter said on Wednesday that European clubs should unconditionally allow African players to join their national teams for the African Cup of Nations. "This is not about rules and regulations but it is a matter of respect between the members of the FIFA family," Blatter told a press conference in Cairo. "As long as European clubs enjoy the wealth of African talents they should, in return, let them join their national teams." Several African countries had problems in calling up their European-based players for the African Cup that begins in Egypt on Friday. Clubs argue that letting their players go in such a critical period of the season will cause a lot of damage to their campaigns and they demand CAF to re-schedule the tournament to be held in summer. But Blatter said that Africa have the right to set the suitable time for its tournament, stressing that clubs should adjust to Africa's own schedule. CAF chairman Issa Hayatou explained that Africa can't stage the tournament in the summer season because of the continent's climate.
"Tropical rain drenches several parts of Africa during the summer which makes playing football almost impossible," Hayatou said. "As Europe can't play football during December and January Africa can't in June and July, it is that simple." Blatter also refused the idea of National federations paying money to clubs to allow the players join the national teams. "This is totally unacceptable," Blatter asserted. "This means that the more players a country have in Europe the more money they will pay to call them up." Meanwhile, Blatter said his statement concerning Africa's slots in the World Cup was misunderstood. "I didn't say that Africa's World Cup berths will be increased. I just said they could be six if South Africa was granted a hosts-berth and I think this would be fair," he said. Asked about Egypt's preparations for the African Cup, Blatter said he can't make comments on the organization now but voiced his confidence that Egypt can hold a very good event.
