Roma lose El Aynaoui appeal over AFCON, Ndicka and Diao get permission

Roma have lost their appeal to use Neil El Aynaoui in tonight’s Serie A match against Como, as Morocco refused permission, but Evan Ndicka and Assane Diao will play.

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 19.45 GMT.

This is the final match of Serie A Week 15 and in theory the players who have been called up for Africa Cup of Nations duty should be available to their clubs until the conclusion of the round.

However, as this game is scheduled for a Monday evening, it technically falls outside the parameters and their nations can withdraw them.

Roma asked permission to both Morocco for El Aynaoui and the Ivory Coast for Ndicka.

While the defender was allowed to remain because the first Ivory Coast match against Mozambique isn’t until December 24, Morocco won their appeal to FIFA to call in El Aynaoui as they open up the tournament against Comoros on December 21.

It means the midfielder won’t be in the squad for Roma tonight.

Como had a similar issue, with Cesc Fabregas describing an “unpleasant” conversation with the coach of Senegal, but they do have Assane Diao in their squad tonight.

Senegal begin their Africa Cup of Nations campaign against Botswana on December 23.