It’s always a game of tug-a-war between the club that pays your wages and the National Team and country that you represent, especially when it’s for a tournament that is scheduled at the worst possible point of the season.
Many clubs like Chelsea, Portsmouth and Arsenal are dealing with the loss of key players departing for the African Nations Cup. Everton, who had ironed out an agreement with Nigeria to let Yobo and Yakubu stay for Tuesday’s League Cup Semi-Final leg at Chelsea, was looking to hold onto starting left mid Pienaar, yet South African coach Carlos Alberto Parreira denied them. Everton boss David Moyes then decided not to release the South African due to a 14-day release rule under FIFA sanctions.
Monday morning FIFA clarified the ruling, forcing Pienaar to join Parreira’s squad because the opening match is scheduled January 20th, although South Africa’s match wasn’t unitl the 23rd.
