Senegal winger Krepin Diatta expressed strong allegations of corruption against AFCON organizers after his team's elimination in the round of 16 against Ivory Coast on Monday night, January 29.
The defending champions had taken the lead with a goal from Habib Diallo in the fourth minute of the match. However, Ivory Coast equalized just four minutes before the end of normal time, forcing the game into penalties.
According to France 24, the 24-year-old Monaco player made serious accusations against CAF (Confederation of African Football) staff in the mixed zone before leaving the stadium. Diatta's frustration escalated, particularly after a penalty call in the second half was not granted.
After the final whistle, Diatta exclaimed, "You have killed us. You are corrupt. Keep your African Cup."
The source of Diatta's anger seemed to be a denied penalty appeal in the second half. Referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho dismissed calls for a review when Ismaila Sarr tangled with Odilon Kossounou in the Ivory Coast box, choosing not to consult the pitch-side monitor. However, VAR (Video Assistant Referee) was later employed to award Ivory Coast a penalty, leading to their 86th-minute equalizer.
Diatta confronted the officials, stating, "You go to VAR to give them a penalty, while our player (Sarr) picks up the ball 40 meters from goal, goes on a run into the box, and you don't want to go to VAR? I'm sorry, but that is going too far. I'm really sorry, but they have killed our competition."
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