Traoré slams officiating after narrow defeat

Bertrand Traoré has launched a scathing attack on the match officiating following his team’s 1–0 defeat, laying the blame squarely at the feet of referee Daniel Nii Laryea. The Burkina Faso captain described the performance of the officials as “disappointing” and damaging to the image of African football.

Traoré expressed frustration over a controversial penalty decision that ultimately decided the match. According to him, the officials ignored what he believed was a clear penalty in his favour in the opening moments, only to later award one against his side. “We lost 1–0 due to a penalty, while I believe one should have been awarded to me in the very first action of the match,” he said.

Traoré was particularly critical of the referee’s handling of the incident, claiming that despite being alerted via the headset, Laryea refused to consult the pitch-side monitor. “The referee didn’t even go to review the footage. He was informed, but he stuck to his decision,” Traoré noted, adding that the situation escalated further when he felt physically confronted by the official.

The forward warned that such moments undermine the progress African football has made in recent years. “It is a shame for African football; we have beautiful stadia and wonderful fans,” he said. “Losing on the pitch is fine, but the tournament should not be ruined like this.”

Traoré’s comments are likely to intensify ongoing debates about refereeing standards and the consistent use of VAR at major continental tournaments, with many calling for greater accountability to protect the integrity of the game.