Liverpool might miss Mo Salah twice for a longer period in 2024 due to commitments with the Egyptian national team, but FIFA regulations will give them the chance to make the unpopular decision to keep Salah at home.
Liverpool face unpopular decision by Salah-wish Egyptian federation
Salah can play with the Egyptian national team in 2024 during the Africa Cup and at the Olympic Games. During the latter tournament, Salah can play as a dispensation player for the Olympic team of Egypt. Coach Rogerio Micale would like to see this. “We warmly welcome Salah,” Micale told Egyptian national TV. “He is as important to us as Neymar is to Brazil.”
Should Salah be selected, the Egyptian will miss quite a few games with Liverpool in 2024. During the Africa Cup in January, Salah will be absent for at least four weeks, while the Egyptian will have to miss preparation for the new season and the first Premier League games if he participates in the Olympic Games.
Right to refuse
Liverpool will not cheer for that prospect, but in the case of the Africa Cup can do little about a selection of the Egyptian star player. Because the Africa Cup is an official FIFA tournament, clubs are obliged to hand over their players.
In the case of the Olympic Games it is different. Clubs can refuse to hand over their players to the biggest sporting event in the world. Liverpool is therefore faced with an unpopular decision.
Luton Town writes history with contract extension of Mpanzu
Staying in the Prem, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu gets the chance to go down in the history books through a contract extension at Luton Town. If he gets playing minutes with the newcomer to the Premier League next season, he will become the first player ever to play in the top five English leagues with the same club.
Mpanzu (29) signed his first contract in January 2014 with Luton Town, which then played in England’s fifth tier, the National League. In his first year, the midfielder managed to immediately enforce promotion to the Football League.
In the years that followed, Mpanzu remained a fixture in the Luton Town side and was promoted three more times. Last year, the Congolese played thirty games in the Championship. He played 98 minutes in the all-deciding play-off at Wembley against Coventry City. Luton Town continues its way to the top with Mpanzu. The club announced with much fanfare on social media on Monday afternoon.
