Carragher backtracks on AFCON remarks after backlash, admitting he was clumsy and wrong in downplaying the tournament’s importance in football.
Cries from across the football world have forced former England international Jamie Carragher to backtrack on his controversial comments regarding the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The ex-Liverpool defender found himself in hot water after dismissing the tournament’s significance while discussing Mohamed Salah’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or on Sky Sports.
Carragher’s initial remarks sparked widespread outrage, with prominent figures including Micah Richards and Rio Ferdinand condemning his stance.
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Ferdinand labeled the comments “ignorant,” while former Harambee Stars striker John Baraza also joined the chorus of criticism against the pundit.
Many saw his words as dismissive of African football and its rich history.
“I have got very strong opinions on the game, I love debate, and that will never change,” Carragher said while attempting to clarify his position on CBS Sports’ Golazo Show.
“But what I would never want to be described as, as a pundit, is ignorant or disrespectful, so that was never my aim. And whether that’s to a player, a club, a country, a continent, a continental tournament, whatever that may be.”
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Carragher admitted that he misspoke when he suggested AFCON was not a major tournament, acknowledging that his phrasing was clumsy and inaccurate.
He conceded that he should have chosen his words more carefully, especially given AFCON’s prominence in African football and its deep cultural significance.
“Where I got it wrong was, I was clumsy describing AFCON as not a major tournament. I was trying to explain the merits of Mo Salah winning the Ballon d’Or,” he explained.
The former England defender attempted to provide context for his original statement by noting that while AFCON is undeniably a prestigious competition, it has historically had less influence on Ballon d’Or voting.
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According to Carragher, the tournament’s impact has not been as significant as other continental championships when it comes to individual awards.
“There are five major tournaments out there besides the World Cup that are for their continent and are a major tournament. But some of them don’t resonate with the people who vote for the Ballon d’Or. And that for me was not an opinion, that was a fact in terms of looking at who had won the Ballon d’Or in the last 40 or 50 years,” he added.
Despite his clarification, Carragher acknowledged that he should have been more precise with his language, particularly given how much AFCON means to African players and their nations.
He reiterated that he had no intention of downplaying the competition’s importance but rather was addressing how its impact is perceived globally in the context of the Ballon d’Or.
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His comments, however, have already fueled considerable backlash.
Many African football legends and fans have criticized his original statement as another example of European pundits undervaluing African football. AFCON has long been regarded as a fiercely competitive tournament, producing world-class talents who have left their mark on global football.
Carragher’s retraction may help dampen the controversy, but the episode has once again ignited discussions about respect for African football on the global stage.
