- In a moment of frustration and disappointment, Krepin Diatta directed strong accusations of corruption towards CAF staff as he left the stadium.
Senegal winger Krepin Diatta finds himself in hot water after accusing the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) of corruption.
Diatta's outburst came after the reigning champions Senegal were eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations competition by Ivory Coast on January 29, 2024.
In a moment of frustration and disappointment, Krepin Diatta directed strong accusations of corruption towards CAF staff as he left the stadium.
Overheard by reporters, Diatta exclaimed, "You have killed us. You are corrupt. Keep your Africa Cup." The outburst came in response to a crucial penalty decision against Senegal during the match against Ivory Coast.
Diatta's anger stemmed from the referee's failure to award Senegal a penalty early in the second half. Ismaila Sarr, a Senegalese player, was brought down in the box by Ivory Coast defender Idilon Kossounou.
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Diatta expressed his disbelief, stating, "You go to the VAR to give them a penalty while our guy Sarr picks up the ball 40 meters from goal goes on the run into the box, and you don't want to go to the VAR?"
The incident left Diatta feeling that the refereeing decisions ultimately cost Senegal the match and tarnished the integrity of the competition.
Diatta's public accusations of corruption against CAF have raised eyebrows and will likely have repercussions. Accusing a governing body of corruption is a serious matter, especially in sports, where fair play and impartial officiating are fundamental. CAF will likely investigate the incident and may take disciplinary action against the Senegalese winger.
Despite Senegal's early exit from the competition, Ivory Coast, the team responsible for eliminating them, can now focus on their upcoming quarter-final match against Mali. The victory over the reigning champions undoubtedly boosts Ivory Coast's confidence and increases their chances of progressing further in the tournament.