Since the start of CAN 2023, several irregularities have been noted. Like the imbroglio surrounding ticket sales, the whole world missed a large part of the Senegal-Gambia match on Monday, when the reigning Champions entered the fray. After its technical problems, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) made a decision which particularly affects certain football fans.
Supporters of the Lions of Teranga of Senegal experienced particular frustration during the match against Gambia at Afcon 2023. Despite a good first half hour and the quick opening score of Pape Gueye, a sudden interruption deprived the fans action for the remainder of the first period. Indeed, around the 27th minute, the television broadcast was interrupted globally, only returning at the start of the second half.
BeIN Sports, Canal +, New World, RTI and NCI, official broadcasters, cited “technical problems”. They specified that the signal, initially of poor quality, was unexpectedly lost and this impacted all television channels around the world. Clearly, the problem came from the signal received from the organizer, probably linked to a “huge storm” in Ebimpé, Ivory Coast, starting point of the international signal. But according to CAF, the reason is quite different.
CAF’s first strong decision
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) took the decision, this Tuesday, January 16, 2024, to suspend “the live broadcast on Facebook of CAN 2023 matches for all channels”. In making this decision, the body mentions problems of “hacking” which have been observed. This measure affects all channels having acquired the broadcasting rights for the various matches of the competition which has been taking place in Ivory Coast since January 13.
The Ivorian channel NCI, official broadcaster of the Afcon in Côte d’Ivoire, reported this decision revealing that it follows pirate activities identified by CAF. This announcement comes after a technical disruption that occurred yesterday during the match between Senegal and Gambia, which caused the broadcast to be stopped for at least twenty minutes. By making this decision, CAF deprives several football fans who had opted for Facebook broadcasting of Afcon 2023 matches.
CAF expected on several other files
Since the start of Afcon 2023, several failures have been observed in Ivory Coast, host of the competition. The most striking observation is the lack of attendance in the stadiums during the Afcon 2023 matches. But according to several sources, ticket trafficking is the cause. Several individuals collect stadium tickets in order to resell them at three times the initial price.
According to colleagues present in Ivory Coast, the Ivorian authorities have already arrested several individuals who engage in this ticket trade. The country’s Prime Minister also promised to resolve the problem within 48 hours in order to facilitate access to stadiums for supporters.
Added to this is the ordeal of the journalists who left to cover Afcon 2023. Among other problems, they highlight an organizational problem linked to the transport of media personnel. “January 13, 2024 is the date of the opening match of Afcon 2023 between Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau. While there are shuttles available for the Treichville – Ebimpé journey on the outward journey for journalists, the return trip was a real ordeal. However, the distance is 33 km without forgetting the numerous traffic jams. Drivers who speak badly, volunteers who sulk, it was a real way of the cross to return to our respective residences. Personally, I returned at 3 a.m. for a match which ended at 10 p.m. GMT,” explains John Attiso, a Togolese journalist.
“The same scenario occurred on January 14, 2024 for the two matches scheduled at the Félix Houphouet-Boigny stadium in Abidjan. After the Ghana match, the shuttles disappeared. Journalists, in the rain, are forced to take taxis to return. Amazing ! On Monday January 15, 2024, another fact surprised more than one. CAF sends an email at 10:43 GMT for the availability of a bus for Yamoussoukro and Bouaké whose departure is scheduled for the same day at 10 a.m. GMT. Surprising, isn’t it? », he adds while hoping that CAF will take measures to correct these irregularities.
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