ACTUALITE |
21.11.2001
Bartlett to miss Mali 2002
Charlton Athletic manager Alan Curbishley says Shaun Bartlett will not be released for South Africa`s African Nations Cup campaign in Mali.
Curbishley said the Bafana Bafana captain would be playing a vital role in Charlton`s league campaign over the new year, when the Nations Cup is in full swing.
"I expect Shaun to stay here and play seven games over Christmas. This is what I expect and this is what this football club expects" he said.
It sets the stage for a showdown between Curbishley and the Bafana Bafana manager Carlos Queiroz.
If Bartlett defies his club boss, he would miss matches against Ipswich Town, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa, Derby County and Middlesbrough.
And should South Africa get to the final of Mali 2002, Bartlett would miss Charlton`s home game against Manchester United, scheduled for 10 February.
Club and international team-mate Mark Fish well understands Bartlett`s situation.
He decided to put an end to his international career, which was jeopardising his position at Charlton.
"I had to opt out of Bafana Bafana to concentrate on my club career, so the club-versus-country is no longer a big problem for me.
"I love my country and want to play for it but at this moment my club commitments are more important than going to Mali for four weeks".
Bartlett scored the lone goal in a friendly match against Egypt on 10 November, his 24th in international competition for his country.
But the South African skipper has been frustratingly confined to the substitutes bench since his return to Charlton.
"Shaun is in a difficult situation now and I sympathise with him, because he is the captain and it`s a lot more difficult to miss international games," said Fish.
"A lot of us made our names through Bafana Bafana and owe our country a great deal. So, I hope that the two coaches can come to an agreement that is the best for all concerned."
Bartlett is under additional pressure because South Africa`s World Cup squad will be based on the players who go to Mali.
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Hits: 1 | Source:BBC | |
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