AFCON 2025: Patrice Beaumelle lashes out at FIFA

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·05 de dezembro de 2025

AFCON 2025: Patrice Beaumelle lashes out at FIFA

Interview

كان 2025: باتريس بوميل يهاجم الفيفا

Vídeos OneFootball

Patrice Beaumelle, the head coach of Angola, has spoken out forcefully against FIFA. The reason? The change in the player release date from December 8 to December 15 for AFCON 2025.

This modification, made under pressure from major European clubs, is set to disrupt the preparations of several African teams. It also goes against FIFA’s usual rule, which requires a 14-day window before a major tournament:

Releasing a player on the 15th for an AFCON that kicks off on the 21st… it’s nonsense. You can’t prepare a serious team in just two or three sessions. That’s not a training camp anymore, it’s just patchwork.

Beaumelle didn’t hold back further. He believes FIFA is showing a lack of respect for African football: