Jamie Carragher even shocked the uncompromising Roy Keane when he scoffed about Micah Richards and Daniel Sturridge's suggestion that AFCON is a major
Jamie Carragher even shocked the uncompromising Roy Keane when he scoffed about Micah Richards and Daniel Sturridge’s suggestion that AFCON is a major tournament. Words that can quiet Roy Keane are so dangerous because that man’s words are a like sharp knife, they pierce so easily.
Former Manchester United and England center back Rio Ferdinand has disagreed with Carragher for saying AFCON is not a major tournament and has urged CAF to do more.
“I think that comment is representative of the majority of the people out there. But I don’t think that’s right. It’s an ignorant thought process. If you go to Didier Drogba, Abedi Pele, Samuel Eto’o, Riyad Mahrez, Mo Salah or Sadio Mane, they’ll tell you, ‘We have to win this’ – it’s a demand in their countries to win this.
“Yes, it doesn’t get backed resources-wise like the Euros etc, but that doesn’t mean you have to devalue it. It’s a continent of huge power. A continent that contributes to European football through players massively. It should be respected more than it is.
“I understand what Jamie’s saying but I don’t agree with it. That’s the majority’s fault, if we’re honest, and it is not right. I think the federations like FIFA need to make sure they implement a way of thinking and language around AFCON so it equals the Euros and the Copa America.”
Rio Ferdinand was a regular defender for England and knows how a major tournaments feels. Carragher’s opinion that the Africa Cup of Nations is not a major tournament has been critized immensely by the football world with many calling ignorant.
However, Jamie Carragher has denied being “disrespectful” to the Africa Cup of Nations after branding Rio Ferdinand a “clown” for accusing him of ignorance about the tournament’s status.
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