Diawara suspension lifted over mistaken identity
Reuters - Tuesday 16 August 2011, 11:46
CAIRO - Olympique Marseille
defender Souleymane Diawara has had a suspension from the
African Nations Cup qualifiers lifted after the Confederation of
African Football (CAF) admitted he had been a victim of mistaken
identity.
Diawara had been suspended from Senegal's next two Group E
qualifiers after the referee reported cautioning him in their
last match, a tempestuous goalless draw in Cameroon in June
during which two Senegal players were sent off and their coach
Amara Traore was sent to the stands.
CAF said it had examined video evidence and found Diawara
had not been booked as the Angola referee Helder Martins de
Carvalho had reported.
The Cairo-based footballing body said it had been a case of
mistaken identity as Diawara had been confused with midfielder
Issiar Dia, who has already been suspended for two matches after
receiving a red card in the game.
The referee's performance was denounced by Senegal prime
minister Souleymane Ndene Ndiaye, who at the time blamed
controversy-plagued CAF president Issa Hayatou, who is from
Cameron.
"Issa Hayatou no longer has the merit to lead CAF. He sat
and watched with his eyes in his homeland a refereeing scandal,
which brings no pride to African football," Ndiaye said.
Diawara is now available for the return match against
Cameroon in Dakar in September. A home win would allow Senegal
to qualify for next year's Nations Cup finals, eliminating
Cameroon, who played at last year's World Cup finals.