According to former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright, the Africa Cup of Nations is more "humiliated" than any other international tournament.
Wright stated that aspects of the coverage of the tournament, which will be held in Cameroon from January 9 to February 6, were "racist" after players made to defend their decision to represent their national teams during the domestic season. tinted with".
In a video posted on Instagram, Wright said: "I have something to get off my chest and I have to ask: is there ever a tournament more humiliated than the Africa Cup of Nations?
“There is no greater honor than to represent your country as a player. The coverage is completely full of racism, completely tinted. You players are being asked by journalists if they play their national teams. Will respect the call-up.
"Can you imagine what if he were an English player representing the Three Lions? Can you imagine the uproar?"
Ajax and Ivory Coast striker Sebastian Haller said questions over his decision to play for his country "showed disrespect to Africa" and would not be put to a European player ahead of the European Championship.
In the Premier League, Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea are set to be without key players during the tournament, but Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira has chosen to represent his countries, including Ivory Coast's Wilfried Zaha and Ghana's Jordan Ayew. Supported him in the squad. Cameron.
"I respect and understand the passion and importance of players representing their country, so I will not stop any player from playing the Africa Cup of Nations," Vieira said. "I believe that the competition needs to be given more respect, because this competition is as important as the European Championships."
The 24-team tournament was originally scheduled to be played in June and July 2021, before it was brought forward for the winter due to concerns over the hot climate in host country Cameroon.
This was followed by a 12-month delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while tournament organizers have confirmed the Omicron version will go ahead as planned next month, despite the spread.
"We played our Euros in 10 countries in the midst of a pandemic and had no problems," Wright said. "But Cameroon, a lone country, is hosting the tournament a problem?
"The best players in Europe right now are Africans. If we love them at club level why can't we love them at international level like their counterparts around the world? Why is this tournament getting so frequent?
"I have to give a shout out to players like Sebastian Haller who are taking a stand against the media backlash, as well as Patrick Vieira for coming out and speaking out about this. That's why it's important to have a Black manager who can make people understand." Where are their roots and how important this tournament is to the African people."
Former Cameroonian and Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o, now president of the Cameroonian Football Federation, responded to Wright's video: "Respect. There is no greater honor for a player than to represent his country.
"The Africa Cup of Nations is a celebration of African pride, and next week's AFCON will once again prove the undeniable greatness of African players."