Manchester United and Manchester City could be given headaches at the beginning of 2021 after it was confirmed that the Africa Cup of Nations will take in January and February of next year.
The tournament was moved to the summer following a decision by their executive committee in 2017, but after just one competition, the decision has been taken to move the competition back to its original mid-season slot.
The issue was discussed on Wednesday when the executive committee met in Yaounde, Cameroon. The president of the Confederation of African Football, Ahmad Ahmad, had previously stated that a return to its original winter date would be better for the competition.
One of the reasons for the change is thought to be that the temperature and weather is generally more favourable on the continent during the opening two months of the year.
As a result of the change, a host of Premier League clubs will be without a number of their star players for up to six matches next season.
United will lose Eric Bailly - if he is still at the club next season - while City will be without Riyad Mahrez, who helped captain Algeria to Afcon glory last year.
Liverpool could lose Sadio Mane, Mo Salah and Naby Keita. Joel Matip is Cameroonian but has not played for his country since 2015.
