Bayern Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro is exploring the possibility of taking legal action to prevent Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella from representing the Super Eagles at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The concern arises from the potential impact on the club if both players are selected for Nigeria’s squad for the tournament.
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While Victor Boniface is widely expected to secure a spot in Nigeria’s travelling squad to Ivory Coast, Nathan Tella’s inclusion is less certain due to his recent debut for the national team.
The stakes are high for Bayern Leverkusen, as the absence of both players during the Africa Cup of Nations could see them miss up to five Bundesliga matches if the Super Eagles progress to the final.
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Carro, who also serves on the board of the influential European Club Association (ECA), voiced strong criticism regarding the timing of the Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to take place from January 13 to February 11, 2024.
“It is unacceptable that the Africa Cup is being played in the middle of the season,” Carro stated in an interview with the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, as reported by Sport1.
“To change that, I will enter into a dispute with FIFA. We are also checking whether there is a legal chance of not having to release the players.”
While expressing his concerns, Carro clarified, “That is not realistic. And in principle, I don’t want to prevent anyone from taking this step.”
The CEO’s comments reflect the growing tension between clubs and international football associations over player release during mid-season tournaments, raising questions about the potential legal avenues available to address these concerns.
