Jamie Carragher under fire for disrespecting African football tournament
Jamie Carragher
Published By: Michael Adesina
Jamie Carragher, the former Liverpool defender and current Sky Sports pundit, has found himself at the epicenter of a burgeoning controversy following his remarks on the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in the aftermath of Liverpool’s resounding 2-0 triumph over Manchester City on Sunday.
The Reds’ victory, courtesy of goals from Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai, has catapulted them to the forefront of the Premier League title chase, with their first championship in five years now tantalizingly within reach.
After the game, pundits in the Sky Sports studio were quick to hail Salah.
However, Carragher believes that Salah’s participation in the AFCON and because he represents Egypt will hinder him from wining the Ballon d’Or award.
“I think the problem (is) the fact he’s with Egypt, and he’s probably not playing in the major tournament as such, or maybe got a great chance of winning, I think it’s either the Champions League or the major tournament,” he said.
“Normally, the player who excels in that, like Vini Jr and (Kylian) Mbappe right now, Real Madrid looking really good going for the Champions League.
“Liverpool will be in that conversation, but right now (Los Blancos) are certainly the frontrunner.”
Carragher then proceeded to ask Micah Richards whether he thinks the Egypt will be in contention to win the World Cup next year.
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“No, but AFCON is big, isn’t it?” said the Sky pundit.
“You remember when him and [Sadio] Mane was going for it and…”
But Carragher then appeared to shut down Micah Richards by saying ‘Oh God’.
Daniel Sturridge was quick to retort to his former Liverpool team-mate. The ex-striker said: “It’s a fact. It’s a fact. It’s a fact.
“If you win the Euros or Copa America it’s deemed to be big so the AFCON is in the same level.”
The fallout from Carragher’s comments has been swift and merciless, with numerous football fans and pundits taking to social media to excoriate him for his perceived disrespect towards the AFCON.
“Great example of the Eurocentric mindset,” one social media user remarked.
Another commentator said: “If CR7 or Messi can be a contenders for a Ballon d’or for winning a continental trophy with their respective nations, why can’t Salah be contender after winning AFCON? It is people like him and others like him who say they’re about football but only when it comes to Europe, sad.”
