Victor Osimhen could be prevented from playing at AFCON 2022?

Victor Osimhen could be forced to dishonour call up to AFCON 2022 in Cameroon after recent developments in Italy.

The Nigerian striker who was injured for weeks returned wearing a mask and confirmed his readiness for the 2022 competition.

‘I will be available for AFCON unless if I am not among the players picked to represent NIGERIA,’ he posted on Tuesday.

But latest development in Italy could force the Nigerian striker from playing in his second AFCON after a Napoli lawyer threatened to take a legal action.

Mattia Grassani has stated that action could be taken in regards to exempting European based players from the tournament.

SSC Napoli, l’avvocato Grassani: “Coppa d’Africa? Si potrebbero inoltrare ricorsi per ottenere le esenzioni dei calciatori europei. De Laurentiis mi ha affidato una missione” [ESCLUSIVA] – https://t.co/AvLjLEe0wX

— Bruno Galvàn (@BrunoGalvan85) December 22, 2021

‘Given the epidemiological situation, warnings and other similar situations may start,’ he told Calcionapoli24.it.

‘This competition takes away important resources from the clubs. This is a particular historical moment, it would be different if there was 99 per cent security and the situation was clear.

‘[Napoli] have invested a lot of money in signing Victor Osimhen and if he were to come back infected it would be tough.

‘The first step would be a warning [to prevent a call up] then if there were concrete elements to sue because the health standards are not the same as in European competitions, then there could be more appeals to gain an exemption for Europe-based players.’

Victor Osimhen has scored nine goals in 14 appearances across all competitions for Luciano Spalletti’s men.