Claude Leroy says some football agents have demanded up to 30 million CFA francs (£40,000) for their players to be selected by Congo during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
The Diables Rouges manager made the allegation at a news conference held to discuss Congo’s prospects in the qualifiers, describing the demands as an unacceptable commercial practice surrounding international football.
“This is the first time I have heard of this in my entire career,” said Leroy, who has previously managed Cameroon, Togo and Ghana.
“Some agents have asked for considerable sums of money 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,” added the 1988 African champion, known as the “White Sorcerer”.
Leroy said players should not require financial inducements to represent their country. In his view, the only support that should be provided should be what is necessary to help them perform at their best for the national team.
“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 pimps of modern football.
“They are the ones who do not look after the player’s interests. They do not even think about the interests of a country because, often, they are not from the same country as the player. So they completely do not care about the Republic of Congo.”
The Congo manager then said he would leave immediately if the national team ever agreed to pay players to attend international matches.
“I can tell you one thing,” Leroy said. “The day we accept even 100 euros, separate from travel allowances and match bonuses; the day we give money to a player to come and play for the national team, I will leave immediately.”