The refereeing of the Senegal vs Ivory Coast match continues to provoke reactions. On the Senegalese side, it’s the decisions of the VAR that raise eyebrows. In the aftermath of Senegal’s defeat, questions linger regarding the choices made by the video referees.
The match between Senegal and Ivory Coast in the round of 16 of the 2023 AFCON continues to stir controversy. This time, it’s the refereeing decisions, particularly the use of VAR (video assistant refereeing), that are at the heart of a heated debate. Revelations about the selection of the refereeing team fuel suspicions and cast doubt on the impartiality of the officiating.
Senegal vs Ivory Coast, VAR Under Scrutiny
Indeed, it has been revealed that among the members of the refereeing team present in the VAR booth were two Moroccan assistants, Samir Guezzaz and Zakaria Brinsi, as well as an Egyptian referee, Mahmoud El Banna. This selection by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) raises legitimate questions about its objectivity.
Historical tensions between Egypt and Senegal, exacerbated by recent events such as the Pharaohs’ loss in the final and their elimination in the World Cup 2022 qualifiers, along with Morocco’s particular situation in this edition of AFCON 2023, make for fertile ground for suspicions of bias. It’s worth noting that Morocco was considered Senegal’s main rival, with both teams being tournament favorites and only able to meet in the final.
The performance of the Gabonese referee during the match has also fueled criticism, with three blatant errors reported, two of which were detrimental to Senegal. Faced with these observations, the outburst from Krépin Diatta, a player in the Senegalese team, makes perfect sense. He thus expresses the widespread and legitimate discontent over controversial refereeing decisions.
While awaiting possible responses from the governing bodies of continental football, this controversy leaves a bitter taste for Senegalese fans. At the end of the match, Aliou Cissé didn’t want to dwell on what he called “game incidents.” This stands in stark contrast to Krépin Diatta.
Senegalese Player, Krépin Diatta, Takes Aim at CAF
The AS Monaco player expressed his dissatisfaction with a penalty not awarded in favor of the Lions of Teranga. Krépin Diatta strongly criticized the refereeing to CAF members, calling them “corrupt”.
In the mixed zone, where journalists and players meet after matches, the AS Monaco winger declared: “You killed us, you are corrupt. Keep your African Cup.” Krépin Diatta argued that a penalty should have been awarded for a foul by Odilon Kossounou on Ismaïla Sarr (55) and blamed the referee, Gabonese Pierre Ghislain Atcho, for not consulting the video.
Ivory Coast equalized thanks to a penalty from Franck Kessié after a foul by goalkeeper Édouard Mendy on Nicolas Pépé (86), a penalty confirmed after VAR review. “Everyone saw it,” he said to the press. “You can’t decide the fate of an entire country like that. It’s incomprehensible.” Krépin Diatta also expressed his outrage that the referee did not consult VAR despite a 40-meter run by Ismaïla Sarr in the penalty area. “I’m sorry, but this is outrageous. I’m really sorry, but they’ve killed our competition,” he said.
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