By Mark Baber
December 27 – The simmering row over the release of players by clubs to play for their country has been sparked again by Nigeria’s call for Newcastle United forward Shola Ameobi being refused by the club.
Nigeria’s manager Stephen Keshi discussed Newcastle player Shola Ameobi’s participation in the Africa Cup of Nations which kicks off on January 19. Ameobi was included in Nigeria’s provisional squad on December 21.
Keshi said he spoke to Ameobi on Christmas Day and the player told him his contract prevents him going to the tournament without the manager’s permission.
According to Keshi, the club is reluctant to let the player leave, particularly as Demba Ba will be leaving by the January transfer window.
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has said “Shola won’t be going. The national team manager knows the reasons, which I am keeping to myself.”
A similar situation is brewing over Danny Shittu at Millwall where manager Kenny Jacket has said he expects his player to turn down his place in the Nigeria squad.
In response, Nigerian Football Federation board member, Chris Green has demanded that FIFA impose sanctions on those teams which refuse to release players saying,
“The rules are clear on international games approved by FIFA so we consider these comments as not only ridiculous but totally disrespectful.”
Ameobi initially turned down the chance of playing for the country of his birth in favour of playing for England but he was cleared to play for Nigeria by FIFA on November 1, 2011, despite having played 20 matches for England under-21s. He made his debut for Nigeria on November 14, 2012.
Ameobi attended the Newcastle United academy and has made 275 appearances for the club.
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