LONDON: Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira won't try to block his players from competing in the African Cup of Nations, arguing that the tournament deserves more respect. It begins in early January in Cameroon despite the fast-spreading omicron variant adding to concerns that include European clubs threatening not to send players after raising doubts about coronavirus protocols put in place by the Confederation of African Football.
"I will never stop any players to go to play the African Cup of Nations," Vieira said at a press conference ahead of Palace's match at Tottenham on Sunday. "I believe that that competition has to be more respected. This competition is as important as the European Championship."
The Dakar-born Vieira, who played internationally for France, is set to lose Cheikhou Kouyate (Senegal), Wilfried Zaha (Ivory Coast) and Jordan Ayew (Ghana). Agencies
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