Senegal winger Krepin Diatta claims their elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations in a penalty shoot-out to Ivory Coast was due to the “corrupt” Confederation of African Football (CAF). The Lions of Terranga’s attempts to defend their Afcon title ended in failure after Aliou Cissé’s side were knocked out by hosts Ivory Coast at the round of 16 phase. Senegal had taken the lead through Habib Diallo before Franck Kessié levelled from the penalty spot late on. The Ivory Coast then advanced 5-4 on penalties.
“You’ve killed us, you’re corrupt! Keep your African Cup,” AS Monaco’s Krépin Diatta (24) told CAF officials following Senegal’s elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
Diatta was furious with the refereeing in the game, highlighting notably the decision not to award a penalty for what he deemed to be a foul by Odilon Kossounou on Ismaïla Sarr.
A penalty was not awarded, and the referee was not asked to consider overturning his decision by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Senegal were leading 1-0 at the time. “You go and consult VAR to give them a penalty, but our guy (Sarr) runs 40 metres, overlaps, breaks into the box and you can’t go and look at the VAR. I’m sorry, but it’s ridiculous. I’m really sorry, but they’ve killed our competition there,” said Diatta when passing through the mixed-zone post-match, directing his comments towards journalists and members of CAF’s media service.
Ivory Coast’s quarter-final opponents on Saturday are Mali or Burkina Faso who were due to meet in the last 16 last night.
–Adapted from SuperSport.com
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