Football pundit and former Liverpool defender, Jamie Carragher, has issued a public apology after facing backlash for his controversial remarks about the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The criticism stemmed from Carragher’s comment suggesting that Mohamed Salah’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or were limited due to the Egyptian star not participating in what Carragher described as a “major tournament,” referring specifically to AFCON.
In a broadcast appearance following Tuesday’s Champions League matches, Carragher admitted that his choice of words was poorly phrased. “What I would never want to be described as, as a pundit, is ignorant or disrespectful. That was never my intention, whether it’s toward a player, a country, a continent, or an international tournament,” Carragher explained.
The former footballer clarified that his comments were meant to address historical voting patterns in Ballon d’Or selections rather than to belittle AFCON itself. “Where I got it wrong was being clumsy with my language in describing AFCON as not a major tournament,” Carragher said. He added that his intention was to highlight how the voting process for the Ballon d’Or often overlooks tournaments like AFCON, the Asia Games, and the Gold Cup, favoring events like the UEFA European Championship instead.
Carragher also pointed out the historical context of the Ballon d’Or, noting that it was originally awarded as the European Footballer of the Year. “Sometimes we forget that,” he added, suggesting this might contribute to the biases seen in Ballon d’Or voting.
Despite the backlash, Carragher stressed that he did not mean to offend anyone, emphasizing his continued support for Salah’s Ballon d’Or candidacy. His apology comes as part of his commitment to being a thoughtful and respectful voice in football punditry.
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