Veteran French coach Claude Le Roy has publicly criticized the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for its decision to schedule the 2025 and 2027 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments for mid-season dates. In comments reported by African media, Le Roy described the decision-making process as a "grand guignol," a French term for a grotesque or absurd farce.
The controversy stems from CAF's announcement that the 2027 AFCON, to be hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, will be held in December 2027 and January 2028. This follows a similar schedule for the 2025 tournament in Morocco. The move returns the competition to its traditional winter slot after the 2021 and 2023 editions were held in mid-year due to weather concerns in host nations.
Le Roy, who has managed numerous African national teams, argues the mid-season timing disrupts European club campaigns for African players and creates logistical headaches. CAF President Patrice Motsepe has defended the decision, stating it was made in consultation with stakeholders, including FIFA, and is optimal for the host countries' climates.
The scheduling conflict highlights the ongoing tension between international football calendars and the club commitments of top players. The decision for the 2027 tournament confirms a continued shift away from the summer scheduling experiment of recent years.
