Idrissa Gueye's Bold Proposal to Ease Tensions
Senegalese national player Idrissa Gueye has proposed to hand over the victory medals from the Africa Cup to Morocco in a bid to alleviate tensions following a controversial match. In a statement made after Everton's recent 3-0 victory over Chelsea in the Premier League, Gueye expressed his commitment to collecting the medals. Despite this offer, he remains steadfast in his belief that Senegal is the rightful winner of the Africa Cup championship.
Gueye described the situation as "ridiculous," asserting that a football match is won on the pitch, a feat that Senegal achieved against Morocco. Representing the suspended captain Kalidou Coulibaly in the final, Gueye emphasized, "We deserve to be the African champions; we are the African champions. Titles are won on the pitch, not in offices," he stated in an interview with French television channel Canal+.
Controversy Surrounding the Match Outcome
In light of the Senegalese Football Federation's announcement to appeal the decision, Gueye remarked, "If it were up to me, I would have advised the federation not to file an appeal." The Confederation of African Football (CAF) had revoked Senegal's continental title on Tuesday, declaring the match a 3-0 victory for Morocco. Shortly after, the Senegalese federation announced its intention to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.
During the final held on January 18, Gueye's team had initially left the pitch after a penalty decision awarded to Morocco in stoppage time of the second half. Following a lengthy interruption, the players returned to the field amidst chaos, with Senegalese fans throwing objects onto the pitch and attempting to storm the field. Moroccan player Brahim Diaz missed his penalty, but shortly thereafter, Papa Gueye scored to put Senegal ahead 1-0.
As reported by sport1.de.
