Portsmouth News 24/7Writer: pompeyrug 
Date:Tuesday December 4 2007
Time: 1:04PM
UK time is: 08:44:56
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Pompey to fight early release demand
Recently Nigerian coach Berti Vogts insisted that all his Nigerian stars - with no exceptions - would have to report to a 14 day training camp ahead of the African nations.
This angered not just Pompey, but other clubs with Nigerian internationals in their squads, with it also feared that other African nations could follow suit?
But as Peter Storrie told The News this is something that Pompey are going to fight: 'we will be protesting strongly and will be discussing it with the nations conceded.
'It's just ridiculous. We all know who the clubs in the quarter-finals will be, what do they need a 14-day warm-up for?
'We do not have to release them. There are FIFA rules which legislate for this.
'We will speak to all these nations because it is totally crazy. These players are still needed here'.
I think that we all agree - even Vogts - that the African nations cup is played at the wrong time of year. Whilst we can do nothing about it this year, this 'early release' demand is something that is ludicrous, and for the reasons Storrie explained makes this something that should not happen.
Yep, I can understand this is a major event for the African continent and this means as much to them as the European championships do to European nationals so I am not knocking the importance of this competition, but as we had already discussed this early release is not something that is needed.
At the time when this was first revealed my thoughts were that this was something that would not be allowed as FIFA rules would not allow this, this appears to be the case. Hopefully this can be agreed amicably however...
Either way I would not expect John Utaka or Kanu - or any other Africans for that matter - to be leaving much sooner than had originally been expected.
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Your Comments
Objectively speaking, this is a tough one. No pompey fan in his right mind would want to lose those players any sooner than we have to, but if you were the Nigerian manager (or any national manager for that matter), wouldn't you want to have time to get your side playing with rhythm before a major tourney ? The ultimate answer is the one you hit Rug. Since FIFA presumably organizes these tournaments, they ought to find a way of squeezing them in to off season periods.
Toronto4Pompey
I understand Pompey's view and the Nigerian coach's view, but FIFA really needs to step in here and set the ground rules, because if it comes down to the player he will have to pick between alienating the country side or the club, which will not be good for either
whitestones
basically as storries says teams like nigeria, ghana and senegal 'should' get into the quarter finals no problem, so they have the already allocated time to prepare then have the group stages to gell as a unit even more - when all is said and done they should all be mentally and physially ready as they are only half way through a season and have worked as a groupe several times already this season - as a national group - havent they... major international tournaments in the summer usually happen after several months of no international gatherings, hence the preperation period before hand - the extended one shouldnt be needed here, and wont be allowed. proving fifa play by the rules - if it has to go that far...
pompeyrug
They play it in January because the heat in the summer is so unbareable for them to play in.
stillthewhizz
I still don't know why they play this tournament every 2 years! Money no doubt!
storagematt
England should quit the Euro champs and join the AC of N: we might do better in it and we would have a 'shutdown' of domestic games which would benefit blokes like Hal who likes big black guys in his team. Oo er missus. I mean surely we can beat Namibia, Kenya or TimBuckTu-stan?
Et_tu_Pompeii
we can now that spineless steve has gone... by the way Et_tu_Pompeii its good to see you around again - you went quiet for a while...
pompeyrug
isnt it hot in africa all year round tho? what about when they play the world cup in south africa - if that could take place in the summer why couldnt the african nations in summer? unless south africa isnt as hot as other areas of africa...
pompeyrug
They could always play at night time too couldn't they ? I don't see why they have to have it every 2 years either although I guess that's fine, so long as clubs put restrictions in contracts only permitting them to attend one such tournament every 4 years, same as players of other nationalities. Aside from the injury concerns, every two years seems really excessive.
Toronto4Pompey
Why are we worried about Nigerian players going 14 days early.. Utaka is hardly on form is he and well Kanu .. can board the plane now for all I care.... Other Africans I might have a different view on though ;)
Chix
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