Algeria demands financial compensation from Gambia over AFCON warm-up game cancellation
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - African champions Algeria is demanding financial compensation from The Gambia over the cancellation of a planned friendly match between the two countries ahead of next weekend’s kick off of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Cameroon.
A statement from the Algerian Football Federation obtained by PANA in Banjul Monday accused The Gambia of calling off the game scheduled for Saturday in Doha, Qatar, for spurious reasons and said it would demand financial compensation.
Meanwhile, The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) said on its official website that 16 out of its 28-man squad were unavailable, including all three goalkeepers.
Gambian coach Tom Saintfiet said: "Because we do not have a goalkeeper, we are forced to call off our matches against Algeria and Syria."
"We have had so many unpredictable situations making it very difficult to prepare for the Cup of Nations that we're not happy with, but no one is blamed."
He did not give reasons for the players' absence but there have been coronavirus (COVID-19) infections among all African teams preparing in the Middle East ahead of the tournament in Cameroon, while other Gambian players had weekend club commitments in Europe.
Algeria's statement suggested Gambia could have made more of an effort to fly in reserve goalkeepers so that the warm-up match could go ahead.
“The Gambian side decided unilaterally and a few hours before the match to cancel the game on the pretext that they were missing a goalkeeper!,” said the federation.
“The Algerian Football Federation deplores this attitude which shows a great lack of professionalism and respect towards those who have put everything in place for the success of this preparation match.”
Algeria said it too had problems with two goalkeepers unavailable on Saturday but had flown in a backup for the match.
“Also, the offhand reaction of the Gambia coach, who did not hesitate to make an announcement even before the official cancellation decision was made, is also an inelegant act,” the Algerian federation continued.
“The Algerian Football Federation will assert its rights with regard to the costs incurred, just as it will take the necessary steps to denounce the derogatory attitude of the Gambian side."
Algeria will play a friendly against Ghana in Qatar on Wednesday before heading to Cameroon to defend their crown.
Their first game at the tournament is a Group E clash against Sierra Leone on January 11.
The Gambia, in its first appearance at the finals, begins its Group F campaign against Mauritania on 12 January.
-0-PANA MSS/RA 3Jan2022
