Senegal winger Krepin Diatta expressed his frustration and accused CAF of corruption after the Terranga Lions were eliminated from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations by hosts Ivory Coast.
The defending champions lost 5-4 on penalties to the Elephants in their round of 16 clash after drawing 1-1 in regular time in Yamoussoukro.
Diatta was particularly upset about Senegal not being awarded a penalty early in the second half when Ismaila Sarr went down in the Ivory Coast box in a challenge with defender Odilon Kossounou. Despite Senegal leading 1-0 at that point after Habib Diallo's early goal, the Gabonese referee, Pierre Ghislain Atcho, did not signal for a penalty and did not use the pitchside monitor to review the incident.
In his post-match comments, the Monaco player directly addressed CAF staff, saying, "You have killed us. You are corrupt. Keep your African Cup." Diatta criticized the VAR decision-making, highlighting a situation where Sarr advanced into the box from 40 meters, yet the referee did not consult the VAR.
"I'm sorry, but that is going too far. I am really sorry, but they have killed our competition," Diatta added, expressing his disappointment with the officiating during the crucial match.
