AFCON 2025: He Knows Nothing About National Teams – Saintfiet Knocks Wenger

AFCON 2025: He Knows Nothing About National Teams – Saintfiet Knocks Wenger

Sampson Adedeji

Mali coach Tom Saintfiet has become the latest figure to slam FIFA’s controversial adjustment to the player-release dates ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The global football body has faced widespread backlash across Africa and beyond after announcing a new release window that many believe heavily favours European clubs while undermining national team preparations.

FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, Arsène Wenger, has been at the centre of criticism for the decision, with Saintfiet accusing the former Arsenal manager of lacking understanding of international football dynamics.

In a strongly worded statement, the Mali coach expressed frustration over what he described as FIFA’s disregard for continents outside Europe.

“There is no respect for football in Africa, in Asia, in Oceania, and in CONCACAF. For FIFA, the centre of football is Europe and that’s all that really matters. Only the money of European clubs counts."

Saintfiet further questioned Wenger’s qualifications to dictate policies affecting national teams.

 “The problem is that FIFA’s Technical Director, Arsène Wenger, knows nothing about national teams. Apart from two seasons in Japan, he has only ever worked with big European clubs. And that’s exactly what he’s doing now: working for the big clubs, not for national teams.”

The controversy continues to intensify as more African federations, coaches, and players express concern over the implications of the revised calendar on AFCON 2025 preparations.