Napoli President Demands FIFA Reform After Anguissa Injury

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has reignited the debate over FIFA and UEFA’s responsibility for player welfare, following another costly injury to star midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa while on international duty. The club chief is calling for radical reforms, including extra transfer windows and financial compensation for clubs whose players are injured while representing their countries.

Napoli’s Anguissa Injury Sparks Club vs Country Row

The clash between club and international priorities has once again come to the fore after Napoli’s influential midfielder, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, suffered a serious hamstring injury during a training session with Cameroon ahead of World Cup qualifiers. Anguissa, who has been a key figure for Antonio Conte’s side in Serie A with four goals and 10 appearances this season, is now sidelined for months—a major setback for the reigning Italian champions.

This is not the first time Napoli have been affected. In September, defender Amir Rrahmani also sustained a hamstring injury while on duty for Kosovo. He missed several vital matches before finally returning in November. Such incidents have raised concerns about the dense international calendar and its impact on club squads.

De Laurentiis Demands Change from FIFA and UEFA

De Laurentiis did not mince words in his criticism of football’s governing bodies. Speaking to Motore Italia, he said, “I loaned Rrahmani, and he came back in a wreck, Anguissa came back in a wreck. We can’t go on like this. When the championships are on, I have to get to the end without interruptions. We need fewer teams, fewer matches.”

He went further, demanding that clubs should have more say over whether their players participate in international matches, especially since clubs pay their salaries. “If a player gets injured on international duty, a transfer window should be reopened and we should be compensated. But it seems FIFA and UEFA don’t care about national leagues,” he added.

International Duties and Growing Tensions Across Europe

Napoli are not alone in their frustrations. Barcelona recently faced their own club-versus-country dilemma when rising star Lamine Yamal withdrew from Spain’s squad due to injury. The Spanish Football Association (RFEF) expressed astonishment at the withdrawal, claiming it had received no prior communication from Barcelona’s medical staff, and released Yamal only after a late-night report recommended a period of rest.

Spain manager Luis De La Fuente had included Yamal in his squad, believing the teenager to be in “perfect condition.” This situation has fueled speculation about mounting tension between club and federation over player management and health.

Similarly, Paris Saint-Germain have dealt with the fallout of Ousmane Dembele’s injury, sustained during international duty with France. The player’s absence has led to a public exchange between PSG and the French national team, highlighting the broader rift in European football over international call-ups and player workload.

Impact on Napoli’s Season and Serie A Campaign

Napoli started their Serie A title defense strongly, but recent injuries and a tough run of results have seen them slip to fourth in the table. Their latest defeat to Bologna allowed Inter Milan to claim the top spot. With Anguissa out and other key players only just returning from injury, manager Antonio Conte faces a considerable challenge during this crucial period of the season.

Napoli’s next match after the international break is a vital clash at home to Atalanta on November 22. The squad will need to regroup quickly if they are to keep pace in the championship race.

Should FIFA and UEFA Rethink the International Calendar?

De Laurentiis’s comments highlight a growing sense of frustration among top European clubs about the toll international fixtures are taking on their squads. With elite players facing an ever-increasing number of games, calls for reducing the fixture load, introducing more flexible transfer policies, and creating compensation mechanisms are growing louder.

The Bigger Picture: Football’s Balancing Act

The struggle between club and country commitments is not new, but the stakes have never been higher. As financial pressures and competitive demands rise, clubs are demanding a greater say in how their prized assets are managed. The controversies surrounding Napoli, Barcelona, and PSG are just the latest examples of the urgent need for reform in the global football calendar.

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Opinion: Time for Real Dialogue Between Clubs and Federations

The latest round of injuries and club frustrations makes it clear that the current international football structure is unsustainable. If elite competitions and player welfare are both to be protected, meaningful negotiations and reforms are essential. Clubs, who invest heavily in player development and salaries, deserve a stronger voice in determining player availability and compensation. It’s time for FIFA and UEFA to acknowledge these concerns and work collaboratively for the future of the game.