Senegalese winger Krepin Diatta may face disciplinary action after accusing the Confederation of African Football (CAF) of being “corrupt” following the reigning champions’ elimination in a penalty shootout against the host country, Ivory Coast, on Monday.
“You killed us. You are corrupt. Keep your Africa Cup,” said Diatta, AS Monaco player, in an outburst heard by journalists outside the stadium in Yamoussoukro, the capital of Ivory Coast.
Ivory Coast won the round of 16 match 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, while Senegal continued a remarkable streak where no defending champion has won a knockout game in the Africa Cup of Nations since Egypt clinched their third consecutive title in 2010.
Diatta was furious that Senegal did not benefit from a penalty early in the second half when Ismaila Sarr fell in the Ivory Coast’s penalty area with defender Odilon Kossounou.
Senegal was leading 1-0 thanks to a goal from Habib Diallo, but Gabonese referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho did not award a penalty and did not go to the pitchside monitor to review the footage.
Ivory Coast, also unhappy that Senegal’s star Sadio Mané escaped with a yellow card for a dangerous foul on Ibrahim Sangaré, equalized at the end of regular time with a penalty awarded after a VAR check.
“They go to VAR to give them a penalty, while our man (Sarr) takes the ball 40 meters from the goal, runs into the area, and they don’t want to go to VAR? Sorry, but that’s going too far. I’m really sorry, but they’ve ruined our competition,” added Diatta.
