Is Europe showing enough respect?
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Novell_Price
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Is Europe showing enough respect?
As seen below, you can feel free to view the article out at http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 340229.stm
Bolton boss Sam Allardyce wanted Nigeria captain Jay-Jay Okocha to retire from international football
With the Nations Cup finals just around the corner, the number of players being caught up in club-vs-country rows is on the increase.
The latest is Freddie Kanoute, whose desire to play for Mali has infuriated English Premiership side Tottenham Hotspur. Some pundits have now criticised European managers "for showing little or no respect to Africa" by advising their players to forget about the Nations Cup.
But is this criticism justified? Are you one of those angered by the attitude of European managers towards the Nations Cup? Is it true that Europe treats the Nations Cup as a second-class tournament?
No matter how controversial your views might be, use the form on the right to have your say.
It drives me mad to hear European managers suggesting African players should forget about playing for their countries in the most prestigious football competition in Africa. This goes to show what westerners think of us Africans. Would Ronaldo be stopped if he was going to play for Brazil in a friendly? Try asking Real Madrid to stop Beckham from honouring a national call for England!! European clubs prevent some of these African players from representing their countries yet at the same time can easily replace them since they have enough money to buy more 'appropriate' players.
Bare Udusegbe, Nigerian living in Switzerland
I feel some of their comments are justified because with so many Africans playing in Europe, it is not fair that they lose their players to a competition that is played at such a crucial time in Europe. The Nations Cup should be scheduled at a more convenient time - such as during the summer.
Tochukwu Mkparu, London, England
European clubs are showing disrespect to the Nations Cup by trying to intimidate African players from playing for their countries. The Nations Cup is a tournament in the Fifa calendar and the clubs should know this and try to manage their squads accordingly. European clubs and managers have by these actions proven to be selfish and narrow-minded. What is more, they always send scouts to the Nations Cup to lure good African players into cheap contracts.
ST Toby, UK
I think European managers are just plain selfish. These clubs should know what to do when a country needs its players, so there really ought to be no hassles at all.
Joseph Hayes, Budumburam, Ghana
While appreciating the fact that clubs pay the players' wages, the contempt shown towards the Nations Cup is amazing. In recent years, we have had managers in Europe threatening to stop recruiting African players due to frequent international call-ups. A few years ago, Derby County passed up the chance to sign Nigeria defender Taribo West on a permanent deal for this very reason. Never mind he paid a pivotal role in keeping them up that season, so it served them right when they then went out of the Premiership the following season. Then you have Sam Allardyce (a man I have a lot of time for) pleading with Jay-Jay Okocha to miss the Nations Cup. Managers have to realise losing players every now and then is part of the game. Freddie Kanoute has a chance to play in a big international tournament and Spurs should realise how much that means to any player. Africa is doing its part to solve the problem, by integrating the Nations Cup with the World Cup qualifiers.
Ty Ogun, Birmingham, England
Premiership managers are very selfish and unkind. Every time the Nations Cup comes around, they blackmail these African players into rejecting their countries - the same countries that brought them into limelight. Take the case of Quinton Fortune, Mark Fish, Shaun Bartlett et al. This is far from inspiring.
Sam Nnolum, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
It is sad that European clubs show a complete disregard for African football, especially with respect to the release of players. It must be pointed out that most Africans playing abroad started their trade in clubs in their various countries, so they owe a lot to where their talents were first discovered and given opportunity to get world recognition.
Omonua Johnbull, London
Europe has persistently refused to show any respect for African football and its footballers. Since the Nations Cup is a Fifa-recognized competition, the organizers of football in Europe should make it possible for African players to honour national call-ups without the risk of losing their positions when they return.
Uche Franklin Ajike, Nsukka, Nigeria
African players are tools European clubs use for their own selfish interest and when these African players want to return to Africa to play for their country, they raise all sort of excuses, make threats to the players and report them to FIFA - yet this is not done to European players. All this should stop and more respect should be given to African players and tournaments. Fifa should start doing something about this before it gets out of hand.
Joseph Edemeroh, Lagos, Nigeria
African players should be allowed to participate in the Nations Cup, and there is no reason why they should be restricted from playing in the Nations Cup. The competition is a place for these players to reinforce their talent and return to their various clubs in better form.
Agyingi Kingsley, Cameroon
If we are waiting for Europe to show respect to the Nations Cup, then we are wasting our time because some African players have let Africa down in the past. Just because they believe what their club managers say, they don't believe in themselves. Look at former Cameroon international Lauren who has decided to not play for his country anymore.
Peter, Lagos, Nigeria
It's really a shame that European managers are always threatening African players or making selfish demands because of the Africans' desire to participate in the greatest soccer extravaganza in their continent. No wonder the Nations Cup is not yet commanding the worldwide respect it deserves. It's sad that we will not see most of our favourite African superstars because they have succumbed to threats or the fear of losing favour with their managers.
Eric, Japan
It's no secret that the European big brothers have no respect for African soccer. All that the clubs want is to satisfy their egos without bothering to appreciate the fact that some of their finest talent comes from Africa or has Africa descent. The wizards Jay-Jay Okocha, Patrick Vieira, Nwankwo Kanu and many more have African roots. With the Nations Cup being a Fifa-sanctioned event, the clubs should do the honourable thing and let the African continent enjoy its top players. After all, this is the only way Africa can appreciate its talents!
Mwaura Muthinja, Kenyan living in Canada
European clubs have shown disrespect to the African tournament by making players refuse to honour their international assignment or else lose a place in the starting line-ups at club level. Most of the African players owe their stardom to the Nations Cup.
Kevin, USA
The Nations Cup is not being given proper respect by European clubs. Not only does the Nations Cup suffer this disrespect but all other football competitions where Africa needs these players. I see no reason why there should be problems releasing African players for football competitions in Africa while their European counterparts don't suffer the same fate. Clubs pay the salaries of these players and thus have power over them, but they should be considerate. Africa deserves to be given respect when it comes to the release of players who are needed.
Oluwasanya Agboola, USA
There is no doubts in my mind that Europeans do not have, and will never show, respect for African players or tournaments. It has always been a nightmare for African coaches trying to get their players on time. We have to look at ourselves to find the roots of the problem. There will never be respect from the people that colonized us - not to mention the fact that millions of us make a better living in their homeland. Until that stops, Europeans will always have the upper hand over our players and so many more of us.
Moise Faye, USA
Bolton boss Sam Allardyce wanted Nigeria captain Jay-Jay Okocha to retire from international football
With the Nations Cup finals just around the corner, the number of players being caught up in club-vs-country rows is on the increase.
The latest is Freddie Kanoute, whose desire to play for Mali has infuriated English Premiership side Tottenham Hotspur. Some pundits have now criticised European managers "for showing little or no respect to Africa" by advising their players to forget about the Nations Cup.
But is this criticism justified? Are you one of those angered by the attitude of European managers towards the Nations Cup? Is it true that Europe treats the Nations Cup as a second-class tournament?
No matter how controversial your views might be, use the form on the right to have your say.
It drives me mad to hear European managers suggesting African players should forget about playing for their countries in the most prestigious football competition in Africa. This goes to show what westerners think of us Africans. Would Ronaldo be stopped if he was going to play for Brazil in a friendly? Try asking Real Madrid to stop Beckham from honouring a national call for England!! European clubs prevent some of these African players from representing their countries yet at the same time can easily replace them since they have enough money to buy more 'appropriate' players.
Bare Udusegbe, Nigerian living in Switzerland
I feel some of their comments are justified because with so many Africans playing in Europe, it is not fair that they lose their players to a competition that is played at such a crucial time in Europe. The Nations Cup should be scheduled at a more convenient time - such as during the summer.
Tochukwu Mkparu, London, England
European clubs are showing disrespect to the Nations Cup by trying to intimidate African players from playing for their countries. The Nations Cup is a tournament in the Fifa calendar and the clubs should know this and try to manage their squads accordingly. European clubs and managers have by these actions proven to be selfish and narrow-minded. What is more, they always send scouts to the Nations Cup to lure good African players into cheap contracts.
ST Toby, UK
I think European managers are just plain selfish. These clubs should know what to do when a country needs its players, so there really ought to be no hassles at all.
Joseph Hayes, Budumburam, Ghana
While appreciating the fact that clubs pay the players' wages, the contempt shown towards the Nations Cup is amazing. In recent years, we have had managers in Europe threatening to stop recruiting African players due to frequent international call-ups. A few years ago, Derby County passed up the chance to sign Nigeria defender Taribo West on a permanent deal for this very reason. Never mind he paid a pivotal role in keeping them up that season, so it served them right when they then went out of the Premiership the following season. Then you have Sam Allardyce (a man I have a lot of time for) pleading with Jay-Jay Okocha to miss the Nations Cup. Managers have to realise losing players every now and then is part of the game. Freddie Kanoute has a chance to play in a big international tournament and Spurs should realise how much that means to any player. Africa is doing its part to solve the problem, by integrating the Nations Cup with the World Cup qualifiers.
Ty Ogun, Birmingham, England
Premiership managers are very selfish and unkind. Every time the Nations Cup comes around, they blackmail these African players into rejecting their countries - the same countries that brought them into limelight. Take the case of Quinton Fortune, Mark Fish, Shaun Bartlett et al. This is far from inspiring.
Sam Nnolum, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
It is sad that European clubs show a complete disregard for African football, especially with respect to the release of players. It must be pointed out that most Africans playing abroad started their trade in clubs in their various countries, so they owe a lot to where their talents were first discovered and given opportunity to get world recognition.
Omonua Johnbull, London
Europe has persistently refused to show any respect for African football and its footballers. Since the Nations Cup is a Fifa-recognized competition, the organizers of football in Europe should make it possible for African players to honour national call-ups without the risk of losing their positions when they return.
Uche Franklin Ajike, Nsukka, Nigeria
African players are tools European clubs use for their own selfish interest and when these African players want to return to Africa to play for their country, they raise all sort of excuses, make threats to the players and report them to FIFA - yet this is not done to European players. All this should stop and more respect should be given to African players and tournaments. Fifa should start doing something about this before it gets out of hand.
Joseph Edemeroh, Lagos, Nigeria
African players should be allowed to participate in the Nations Cup, and there is no reason why they should be restricted from playing in the Nations Cup. The competition is a place for these players to reinforce their talent and return to their various clubs in better form.
Agyingi Kingsley, Cameroon
If we are waiting for Europe to show respect to the Nations Cup, then we are wasting our time because some African players have let Africa down in the past. Just because they believe what their club managers say, they don't believe in themselves. Look at former Cameroon international Lauren who has decided to not play for his country anymore.
Peter, Lagos, Nigeria
It's really a shame that European managers are always threatening African players or making selfish demands because of the Africans' desire to participate in the greatest soccer extravaganza in their continent. No wonder the Nations Cup is not yet commanding the worldwide respect it deserves. It's sad that we will not see most of our favourite African superstars because they have succumbed to threats or the fear of losing favour with their managers.
Eric, Japan
It's no secret that the European big brothers have no respect for African soccer. All that the clubs want is to satisfy their egos without bothering to appreciate the fact that some of their finest talent comes from Africa or has Africa descent. The wizards Jay-Jay Okocha, Patrick Vieira, Nwankwo Kanu and many more have African roots. With the Nations Cup being a Fifa-sanctioned event, the clubs should do the honourable thing and let the African continent enjoy its top players. After all, this is the only way Africa can appreciate its talents!
Mwaura Muthinja, Kenyan living in Canada
European clubs have shown disrespect to the African tournament by making players refuse to honour their international assignment or else lose a place in the starting line-ups at club level. Most of the African players owe their stardom to the Nations Cup.
Kevin, USA
The Nations Cup is not being given proper respect by European clubs. Not only does the Nations Cup suffer this disrespect but all other football competitions where Africa needs these players. I see no reason why there should be problems releasing African players for football competitions in Africa while their European counterparts don't suffer the same fate. Clubs pay the salaries of these players and thus have power over them, but they should be considerate. Africa deserves to be given respect when it comes to the release of players who are needed.
Oluwasanya Agboola, USA
There is no doubts in my mind that Europeans do not have, and will never show, respect for African players or tournaments. It has always been a nightmare for African coaches trying to get their players on time. We have to look at ourselves to find the roots of the problem. There will never be respect from the people that colonized us - not to mention the fact that millions of us make a better living in their homeland. Until that stops, Europeans will always have the upper hand over our players and so many more of us.
Moise Faye, USA
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