FIFA's decision to allow clubs to retain their players until December 15, barely a week before the start of the Africa Cup of Nations (December 21, 2025 - January 18, 2026 in Morocco), continues to provoke strong reactions. Among the most critical voices, that of Habib Bèye, former Senegalese international and coach of Rennes, was forcefully expressed in the pages of "L'Équipe".

According to the coach, FIFA's decision shows a lack of respect for African national teams and their preparations. "It's unfair to the coaches and federations involved in this competition," he declared.

Bèye points out that the national teams had already organized their preparations, booked hotels and friendly matches according to a clear schedule. "When a date is confirmed (...) for this information to be given to them so late, for me, that's wrong," he insists.

While acknowledging that, like all club coaches, he too will have his players available until January 15th, Bèye believes it's necessary to consider the perspective of the national teams. "We must also consider that this is a major competition in Africa," he points out, emphasizing the symbolic and sporting importance of the AFCON for the continent.

The former OM defender says he is not surprised by this situation, which he sees as part of a broader pattern of discrediting African competitions. "This interference (...) under the assumption that it's a minor competition, it's already happened in the past," he says.

Having experienced these tensions himself when he represented Senegal, Bèye laments a persistent feeling: "We get the impression that we can move this AFCON whenever we want, place it wherever we want... and it doesn't happen like that for other international competitions."

The former Lions defender points out that the date of the Africa Cup of Nations was known long ago and had already been postponed to make room for the new Club World Cup. "If we had been asked to release our players on the 8th, we would have done so," he asserts, emphasizing that his club exerted no pressure to retain its international players.

While Bèye says he is "very happy" to be able to count on his players until January 15th, he nevertheless insists on the perceived injustice felt by the African national teams. "From the point of view of the coaches and federations, I find it unfair," he concludes.