AFCON: Andre Onana faces ban from Man United over Cameroon call-up

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Andre Onana could be banned from playing for Manchester United if he rejects a call-up to the Cameroon squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Earlier this season, Onana revealed he had U-turned on his decision to retire from international football, which he made during the World Cup last year. But the 27-year-old has endured a dreadful campaign in his first year at United, reaching his nadir against Galatasaray, Mirror reports.

He is still expected to be included in Rigobert Song’s squad for AFCON, which will take place between 13 January and 11 February. If Cameroon go all the way, that would mean Onana will miss six games in the Premier League and FA Cup.

United boss Erik ten Hag is set to promote Altay Bayindir into the starting line-up while Onana’s away. And the Cameroonian is concerned that the Turk could end up replacing him permanently given his mistake-filled season so far.

As a result, he could end up turning down the chance to travel to the Ivory Coast for the tournament. If he does that though, FIFA rules may prevent him from playing for United for the length of the tournament anyway.

Their regulations state: “A player who has been called up by his association for one of its representative teams is, unless otherwise agreed by the relevant association, not entitled to play for the club with which he is registered during the period for which he has been released or should have been released… plus an additional period of five days.”

That means United and Onana would have to see special dispensation from Cameroon to allow him to play for the club. A similar situation affected Joel Matip and Liverpool back in 2017.

Matip had been called up to the Cameroon squad that year’s AFCON, but refused the call-up having retired from international football while playing for Schalke. But the defender had not followed FIFA procedure when making that decision informing Cameroon’s national association by letter.

Consequently, he missed two games for the Reds, against Manchester United in the Premier League and Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup before the matter was resolved. It is almost certain Onana will be called up, given he has re-established himself as Cameroon’s number one.

The Indomitable Lions have been drawn in Group C alongside Guinea, Gambia and reinging champions Senegal. Meanwhile, back at United, Ten Hag remains fully supportive of the error-prone Onana, though has warned him about making future mistakes.