Senegal’s Krepin Diatta, a winger, may be disciplined for his remarks that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is “corrupt” after the reigning champions lost to hosts Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup of Nations on penalties on Monday.
“You’ve put us to death. You’re dishonest. When reporters overheard Monaco winger Diatta yelling at CAF employees as he was leaving the stadium in Yamoussoukro, the capital of Ivory Coast, he said, “Keep your African Cup.”
Following a 1-1 draw, Senegal’s incredible run of not having seen a reigning champion win an AFCON knockout tie since Egypt won the tournament for the third time in 2010 continued as Ivory Coast emerged victorious in the last-16 match 5-4 on penalties.
Diatta was incensed that Senegal was not given a penalty kick when Ismaila Sarr and defender Odilon Kossounou went down in a tangle of legs in the Ivory Coast box early in the second half.
Senegal were leading 1-0 at the time after Habib Diallo’s early goal, but Gabonese referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho did not point to the spot and did not come across to the pitchside monitor to review the footage.
Ivory Coast, who were themselves unhappy that Senegal star Sadio Mane escaped with a yellow card for a dangerous early challenge on Ibrahim Sangare, went on to equalise late in normal time with a spot-kick of their own which was given after a VAR check.
“You go to the VAR to give them a penalty, while our guy (Sarr) picks up the ball 40 metres from goal, goes on a run into the box and you don’t want to go to the VAR?
“I’m sorry but that is going too far. I am really sorry but they have killed our competition,” Diatta added.
Ivory Coast will play a quarter-final on Saturday in Bouake against Mali or Burkina Faso, who meet in the last 16 later on Tuesday.
