Crystal Palace head coach Patrick Vieira says Africa Cup of nations (AFCON) needs to be respected miore than how it is now arguing the tournament is as important as the European Championship.
European clubs are being reluctant to release their African players for the Africa Cup of nations which will start on January 9 in Cameroon.
Few weeks ago, Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp called the AFCON a “little tournament” while Naples boss said it is an ‘invisible monster’.
But, Vieira who is a Senegal-born said the competition should be covered more by European media so that they can know how interesting it is.
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“I respect and understand the passion and the importance to players to go and represent their country so I will never stop any player going to play the Africa Cup of Nations,” the Palace manager said, as per KingFut.
“It might be important for you guys [the journalists] to cover the Africa Cup of Nations a little bit more and to go to Africa and interview people to really understand what it means for every single one of them.
“I believe that that competition needs to be more respected – because this competition is as important as the European Championships.
“It might be important for you guys [the journalists] to cover the Africa Cup of Nations a little bit more and to go to Africa and interview people to really understand what it means for every single one of them.