While numerous controversies broke out during the CAN regarding the quality of refereeing, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) decided to take action.
Many matches at the African Cup of Nations have given rise to controversies linked to refereeing. This 2023 edition (according to the official name) is no exception to the rule, and has created its share of frustrations among players and supporters. The latest notable example, the round of 16 between Ivory Coast, host country of the tournament, and Senegal.
Sport News Africa reports this Friday that the Confederation of African Football has decided to exclude from the competition the officials who had directed and assisted this fatal meeting with the Lions of Teranga (1-1, 5 shots on goal to 4), nor more no less than the holders of the trophy. A match that could have gone one way or the other depending on refereeing errors and approximations.
Meatballs on both sides
If the team dedicated to VAR composed of Samir Guezzaz and Mahmoud El Banna allowed the central referee, the Gabonese Pierre Atcho, to make up for the equalizing penalty initially forgotten for the Ivorians; the latter did not see fit to alert their colleague about Odilon Kossounou’s charge on Ismaïla Sarr in the area which could also have earned a penalty in favor of the Senegalese.
“ You killed us, you are corrupt. Keep your African Cup. I’m really sorry but they killed our competition », the Senegalese will-o’-the-wisp from AS Monaco Krépin Diatta stormed away. The Elephants, for their part, could deplore the leniency of the referees towards Sadio Mané, the Lions star who could have been sent off at the start of the match for a dangerous sole on the shin of Ibrahim Sangaré.
