Claude Leroy condemns ‘football pimps’ over Congo call-up demands

Claude Leroy has accused some player agents of demanding large payments before their clients are selected for the Republic of the Congo during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

The Diables Rouges manager made the allegation at a news conference in which he outlined the team’s prospects in the qualifiers. He said the demands were unprecedented in his career and criticised what he described as a commercial practice developing around international selection.

“This is the first time I have heard of this in my entire career,” said Leroy, who has previously managed Cameroon, Togo and Ghana.

He claimed some agents had asked for considerable sums for players to join the national team, with one request reportedly approaching 30 million FCFA.

“Some agents have asked for considerable sums for certain players to come. I think you will find it considerable when they ask for close to 30 million FCFA just to come and play one match for the national team. That is 40 000 euros,” said the former Africa Cup of Nations winner.

Leroy, the 1988 African champion, said players should not require financial incentives to represent their country. In his view, the only payments involved should be those necessary to ensure the players are properly prepared and able to perform for the national side.

“I did not know this existed, but this is what is happening today,” he said.

“Some players are very badly advised, with agents who are the pimps of modern football. They are the ones who do not look after the player’s interests and do not even think about the interests of a country because, often, they are not from the same country as the player. So they do not care at all about the Republic of the Congo.”

Leroy also issued a firm warning that he would resign if the national team began paying players simply to appear in international matches.

“I can tell you one thing. The day we accept even 100 euros, apart from expenses, match bonuses and mission allowances; the day we give money to a player to come and play for the national team, I will leave immediately,” he said.