Emmanuel Petit condemns the Confederation of African Football’s decision to strip Senegal of their Africa Cup of Nations title after a controversial appeal, calling it a disgrace for African football and a setback for its global respect. Picture: Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP
Image: Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP
Former Fifa World Cup winner with France, Emmanuel Petit has added his voice to chorus of condemnation for the Confederation of African Football (Caf) and its decision to strip Senegal of their Africa Cup of Nations title almost two months after they won the final.
Senegal beat hosts Morocco in a controversy-filled contest on January 18. Morocco were therefore declared champions after they were credited with a 3-0 win.
The outcry has been swift and vocal, after the Fédération of Moroccan Football (FRMF) lodged a complaint with the Caf Appeal Board, which proved to be successful.
The appeal was lodged as Senegal staged a brief walkout during the match after disagreeing with the referee’s decision to award a penalty. Even though the Senegal players did return to the pitch after the contentious decision and went on to win the match, the walkout effectively cost them the title.
"When a team leaves the pitch and refuses to play the game, I think it is a 15-minute gap, but anyway, what Senegal did during the Afcon final, they should have been fined,” Petit told BetGoat.
"The referee knew the law, the rules. He didn't do anything about it. Now, after two months, they decided to take away the crown from Senegal, which is ridiculous.
"It shows, for me, nobody wins in this case. Senegal, Morocco, Afcon, everyone. They're all losing.
"It’s a disgrace for football, especially for African football. So, I feel very bad for Senegal fans, for Moroccan fans, for all African fans. It's been very hard for them to win the respect from outside, especially from European countries.”
Petit who won the Fifa World Cup with France in 1998 said there had often been unjustified arrogant attitude from European nations when it came to African football, and incidents like this would not help that mindset.
“Years after years they've been working very well and I think the preparation, the organisation, everything, the last Afcon we've seen, the tournament, I think was great to watch and as well the level of it.
"But all of a sudden, this is happening right before the World Cup, right before the World Cup in America, Mexico and Canada, but as well the World Cup will be organised in Morocco too.