Burkina Faso captain Bertrand Traoré has launched a stinging attack on Ghanaian referee Daniel Laryea, accusing the official of “ruining” the game following his side’s 1-0 defeat to Algeria on Saturday, December 27.
The Sunderland forward did not hold back after the final whistle, claiming that inconsistent officiating and the selective use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) cost the Stallions a fair result in their high-stakes Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group E encounter.
The match’s defining moment arrived in the first half when Riyad Mahrez converted a penalty to secure Algeria’s place in the Round of 16.
However, Traoré insists the contest was tilted in Algeria’s favour long before the ball hit the back of the net.
The Burkina Faso skipper pointed to a controversial incident in the opening minutes where he felt he was brought down in the penalty area.
According to Traoré, his appeals were ignored without a second look from the officials, a decision that set the tone for the remainder of the match.
“I think there was a penalty on me in the first action of the match. The referee didn’t even check VAR,” Traoré told beIN Sports.
“And then, as if by magic, he stayed on the pitch for Algeria’s penalty and confirmed it.”
The tension between the captain and the Ghanaian official reportedly intensified as the game progressed.
Traoré alleged that the frustration reached a breaking point when the confrontation between the two became physical on the pitch.
The forward claimed that the official pushed him during a heated exchange, describing the experience as “disappointing” for a player of his experience.
Traoré’s grievances extended far beyond the scoreline, as he warned that such officiating risks damaging the reputation of the continent’s most prestigious football tournament.
He argued that the lack of consistency and perceived bias were “spoiling” the competition for fans and players alike.
He concluded that it was a “shame for African football” and urged for higher standards to protect the integrity of the AFCON.
While Algeria celebrates their progression to the knockout stages, Burkina Faso now finds itself in a precarious position.
The Stallions’ hopes of staying in the tournament hang in the balance as they prepare for a must-win final group fixture.
The team will face Sudan on Wednesday, 31 December, where anything less than a positive result could see them exit the competition prematurely.
For Traoré and his teammates, the challenge now lies in shifting their focus from the referee’s controversial whistle to the decisive final whistle of their group-stage campaign.
