Senegal’s winger, Krepin Diatta, faces potential disciplinary action after his heated accusations of corruption against the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following the reigning champions’ exit from the Africa Cup of Nations.
The team lost to hosts Ivory Coast in a penalty shootout on Monday.
In a tense encounter witnessed by reporters as he left the stadium in Yamoussoukro, Diatta expressed his frustration, bluntly stating, “You have killed us. You are corrupt. Keep your African Cup.”
Ivory Coast clinched a 5-4 victory in the last-16 tie on penalties after a 1-1 draw, continuing a trend where no reigning champion has won an AFCON knockout tie since Egypt’s third consecutive title win in 2010.
Diatta’s discontent stemmed from Senegal not being awarded a penalty early in the second half when Ismaila Sarr was brought down in the Ivory Coast box. Despite Senegal leading 1-0 from Habib Diallo’s goal, referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho did not point to the spot nor consult the pitchside monitor to review the incident.
In addition, Ivory Coast contested Senegal star Sadio Mane’s escape with a yellow card for a challenge on Ibrahim Sangare. However, Ivory Coast later equalized with a spot-kick of their own, confirmed after a VAR check.
Expressing his frustration over the inconsistent use of VAR, Diatta questioned the referee’s decision-making process, emphasizing the impact on Senegal’s competitive integrity.
Ivory Coast is scheduled to face Mali or Burkina Faso in the quarter-finals on Saturday in Bouake, pending the outcome of the last-16 match later on Tuesday.
