Football fans have been reacting to Napoli President, Aurelio De Laurentiis’ conditions on signing African players.
On Wednesday, De Laurentiis in an interview remarkably stated that he admired African players but won’t be signing them anymore unless they agree not to play in the African Cup of Nations.
Mixed reactions have trailed his statement. While many fans described him as racist others defended him.
Koulibaly on De Laurentiis AFCON comments: “The most important thing is to respect everyone. When I played there I also played for Senegal… You cannot speak of an African team like this. You need to have respect.” Adds the Napoli fans don’t think that way
— Liam Twomey (@liam_twomey) August 3, 2022
Disgraceful comments from De Laurentiis about African players. Better off keeping such rubbish to himself
— Shamwari yaMambo (@daVINCE23) August 4, 2022
Wow, CBS deleted the tweet which had De Laurentiis’s awful comments about African players and AFCON.
— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) August 3, 2022
In case you didn’t know. Napoli owner, Aurelia De Laurentiis is the most arrogant and heartless football club owner, with no respect for African football and players. Watch every football transfer window, you will learn much about his evil 😈 behavior.
— Zam (@Zamoney175) August 4, 2022
AFRICAN players have enormous talent and endurance, just because they from AFRICA they get this sick treatment, BIG SHAME ON YOU – AURELIO DE LAURENTIIS
— Noel (@Argorsy) August 4, 2022
The Aurelio De Laurentiis comments about African players and the AFCON is as shameful as it gets. Racist and low, but what’s also very shameful is the little media coverage this story is getting. @SkySports, what do you have to say about this man?
— ThapeloDube 🇿🇦 (@ThapeloDube3) August 4, 2022
Disgraceful comments from De Laurentiis about African players. Better off keeping such rubbish to himself
— Shamwari yaMambo (@daVINCE23) August 4, 2022
This is nonsense if this is true. No African player should join Napoli. Playing for your country is the highest point of your career. De Laurentiis is an idiot!!! https://t.co/PGjmbCC6Z5
— Olufemiogunnaike🇳🇬🇳🇬 (@EveretteAmore) August 4, 2022
Why so peeved? Napoli owner Aurelio de Laurentiis said he loves African players but isn’t interested in signing them anymore. Face it! He’s running a business; can’t invest in players only to lose them to AFCON when he needs them for the season. CAF needs to review its calendar.
— Mirpuri (@InterBoy1908) August 3, 2022
Many of the Africans bashing Napoli president, Aurelio De Laurentiis would do worse if the tables were turned. It may not happen now, but I can bet you, this is the future of football, players from Africa and South America would be forced to sign this national team waiver soon.
— Edafe Matthew EseOghene. CEO ELEGBETE TV & RADIO (@ELEGBETE1SPORTS) August 3, 2022
I personally support Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis on his stance.
We have tried urging CAF for years to chance the AFCON schedule but it doesn’t listen. AFCON schedule is the main reason that tournament is not respected as it supposed to be. B pic.twitter.com/oS0UQlx7JG
— Albanus 10 (@Kiswili_10) August 3, 2022
The man is speaking from the business part of things. This clubs pay these players huge sums week in week out. Not having them for the crucial part of the season is not good for business. My opinion is that. Afcon should be played in the summer to avoid these clashes.
— godwin julius (@godwinj4) August 4, 2022
Any problem with Napoli President Aurelio de Laurentiis on not wanting African players again because of the AFCON? I DON’T. It is time Africa mature enough to have the AFCON staged in the summer with the right level of technology & infrastructure to cope. #Osimhen #RufaiBRTlane
— Adeyinka Oyedele (@Yinkasports) August 3, 2022
The AFCON competition has mostly been held between January and February.
