Domoraud: Shameful for African football!
Ivoirian players leave under police protection in Dakar
The moment that Ivoirian captain Didier Drogba, who had already opened the score on a free kick, doubled the lead for Côte d’Ivoire in the 71st minute on a penalty, a group of Senegalese supporters started to light fires in the stands and to throw projectiles in the direction of their Ivoirian counterparts.
The match was immediately stopped by the referee and the players were placed under police protection.
The match would not be resumed and victory was given to the Elephants by default.
“It is only a football match. If it ends like that, it is shameful for African football. It really is shameful for African football. We have great players, who play in Europe. They come to play in Africa to boost football. It really is deplorable,” said the former Ivoirian international defender Cyril Domoraud regretfully.
The Senegalese camp also condemned this behaviour, at the same time saying they are ready to assume all their responsibilities.
“Senegal will accept its sanctions. In the meantime, we must apologise to the Ivoirian supporters and do everything for this not to happen again (…) I am deeply saddened, because this type of scene has no place on a football field or anywhere else,” stated the General Manager of the Lions, Ferdinand Coly.
The Senegal Football Federation risks being awarded a fine which could be up to 100,000 dollars and seeing the Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor hit with a ban.
Côte d’Ivoire qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations 2013, after their two victories against Senegal.
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