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Football pundit Jamie Carragher has addressed widespread criticism after his comments about the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) sparked an online controversy. The former Liverpool defender had described AFCON as not a “major tournament” while discussing Mohamed Salah’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or.
During a Champions League broadcast on CBS, Carragher initially dismissed AFCON’s significance in the Ballon d’Or debate, prompting immediate pushback from co-pundits Micah Richards and Daniel Sturridge. His remarks also drew sharp criticism from African football legends and former England teammate Rio Ferdinand.
Recognizing the backlash, Carragher took to social media to explain himself before offering a more detailed response on air.
Carragher Admits to “Clumsy” Wording
Speaking to CBS host Kate Abdo, Carragher said:
“I have strong opinions on football and love debate, but I never want to be seen as ignorant or disrespectful—to a club, player, country, continent, or international tournament.”
The former England international admitted his wording was flawed, clarifying:
“Where I got it wrong was being clumsy with my language in describing AFCON as not a major tournament. I was making a point about Salah’s Ballon d’Or chances and how some international competitions, including the Asian Cup and Gold Cup, don’t seem to resonate with voters as much as others.”
Ballon d’Or Bias?
Carragher pointed to historical trends in the Ballon d’Or voting, noting that only one African player—Liberia’s George Weah in 1995—has won the award. He acknowledged that a European bias might exist, given that the Ballon d’Or was originally the “European Footballer of the Year” award.
His comments, however, faced further scrutiny, particularly given Sadio Mané’s second-place finish in 2022 after winning AFCON with Senegal.
Moving Forward
Carragher reaffirmed his support for Salah’s Ballon d’Or campaign but vowed to be more mindful of his wording in the future.
“I’ve been championing Salah as the first African winner since Weah, and I should have been more careful with my language. Hopefully, this clarifies my position.”
The controversy has reignited discussions about AFCON’s global standing and the perception of non-European tournaments in the football world.
