The Gabonese Soccer Federation accuses Gambia of holding its gamers for eight hours at Banjul airport so as, in line with it, to “weaken” them forward of a decisive match for the qualification for the African Cup of Nations. (CAN) 2021. Gabon’s staff misplaced 2-1 on account of Gambias, on November 16, 2020 in Bakau.
The Panthers of Gaon and their star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had been blocked all evening from Sunday to Monday by Gambian authorities on the pretext that they didn’t have legitimate Covid exams.
Gabon, for its half, ensures that it has supplied exams carried out lower than 72 hours earlier than arrival, as required by the Gambian authorities. Photos of gamers sleeping on their towels within the terminal or sitting, have been circulating on social networks. “It won’t demotivate us, however folks must know and above all that CAF takes accountability. 2020 and we would like Africa to develop, that is not how we get there, “Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang wrote on Twitter.
“Gambia’s maneuver paid off”
For the president of the Gabonese Soccer Federation, Pierre Alain Mounguengui, “Gambia’s maneuver paid off”. “Gambia prevented Gabonese gamers from sleeping whereas Gambia’s staff was on the resort,” he advised Libreville reporters on Wednesday (November 18). The Gabonese Soccer Federation has lodged a criticism with the African Soccer Federation.
In accordance with Mr Mounguengui, a normal who seized the passport on the airport can be “vice-president of the Gambian Soccer Federation.” “The Gabonese delegation had refused at hand over their take a look at certificates from Covid-19 to these accountable for public well being. In addition they refused to be examined on the airport,” the Gambian sports activities minister mentioned Monday evening in an announcement on his Twitter account.
The CAF determined to “intervene in its disciplinary our bodies to analyze the causes of this incident, to find out the areas of accountability and to use the ensuing sanctions”, the African Union introduced on Monday in a press launch.
“If an exemplary and powerful resolution will not be made, all African decisions could have a tough time getting their gamers launched from their membership as a result of the latter now not believe and worry for his or her gamers’ bodily integrity,” mentioned Patrice Neveu, the French coach for Gabon, in an interview with AFP.
Gambia, who had been three factors behind Gabon, lastly reached the highest of the group on Monday evening on purpose distinction. The 2 international locations must wait till the final two days of qualification to find out their destiny.
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