Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku has defended Senegal following criticism over their walk-off in the Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco.
The tense final on January 18 in Rabat ended 1-0 after extra time, overshadowed by a pitch invasion, on-field clashes, and a 15-minute stoppage.
The team was fined $615,000, while players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr were handed two-match suspensions each.
Coach Pape Thiaw received a five-match suspension and a $100,000 fine after instructing the walk-off following a VAR decision.
Okraku, who also serves as CAF’s 2nd Vice President, suggested that Senegal’s actions have been unfairly judged.
“People have read a lot of negativity into the behaviour of Senegal,” he told GTV Sports Plus.
“I tend to see it the other way. Yes, they went a bit overboard, but they showed that they had the desire, they showed that they wanted victory at all costs, and they showed that they wanted to compete, regardless of the odds they may have thought confronted them. And for me, that is football.”.
