We will defend players' rights - Blatter

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has warned Premiership clubs to stop obstructing their African players from playing in the African Nations Cup later this month.

His comments follow Tottenham’s failed attempt to block Frederic Kanoute playing for Mali in the tournament on the grounds that he had previously played for France at Under-21 level.

Arsenal and Bolton have also disputed when exactly they should release Kanu and Jay-Jay Okocha for the tournament.

Blatter said Premiership clubs should accept that African players had rights to play for their international sides.

He said: “Club managers and coaches would be well-advised not only to observe international rules, but to stop trying to obstruct legitimate players’ rights. FIFA will always defend those rights, even when adopting such a stance makes us unpopular.

“The Kanoute decision has proved controversial to say the least. But it should not be. Premiership clubs have benefited greatly not only from the skills of African players but also economically in recent seasons.

“It cannot be acceptable to recruit such stars and then demand that they should disrespect their own countries if a tournament or international fixtures, particularly if they are part of the international co-ordinated calendar, clash with Premiership matches.

“It is perfectly irrelevant, given new FIFA rules on the matter which came into effect this month, that Kanoute has in the past played in another country’s colours as long as it was not an A-team.

“His case should be crystal clear; there would be nothing to stop him playing for Mali once the players’ status committee has confirmed his eligibility if that is what he wants to do.”

Blatter claimed international honours were more important to a player than those won at club level.

He added: “The opportunity to represent their country in a major international tournament outweighs any and all honours a club league can offer.

“This is certainly something that the ominous G-14, the grouping of the richest European clubs, should bear in mind.

“After all, some of those clubs are among the main buyers of talent who embark on spending sprees in Africa (and Asia) but then “forget” that the players they bought are men with opinions and not children.”

FIFA also gave the go-ahead for Leeds’ Lamine Sakho, who also appeared for France at youth level, to play for Senegal.

Spurs could lose Kanoute for three Premiership games and both the fourth and fifth rounds of the FA Cup if they progress.