The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has accepted a request to delay the release of players involved in the Africa Cup of Nations until just six days before the tournament kicks off.

FIFA regulations had meant that those called up were due to join up with their international squads on Monday, 27 December, which would mean players from leagues that do not have a winter break like the Premier League would miss even more domestic action.

However, CAF has agreed for the player release date to be pushed back until 3 January – six days before AFCON gets underway in Cameroon on 9 January – at the request of domestic leagues. The decision was influenced by the increasing number of Covid-19 cases across Europe.