'You're corrupt!' – Monaco's Krépin Diatta furious following Senegal's AFCON elimination

30/01/2024 12:29

“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). 

Senegal’s attempts to defend their AFCON title have 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 on penalties (4-5). 

‘They’ve killed our competition there’ – Diatta

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 told to overturn his decision by VAR. 

“You go and consult VAR to give them a penalty, but a 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. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle