Some football fans on social media have chided Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher for his failure to retract and apologise for his supposedly despicable comments concerning the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The former Liverpool defender faced backlash from football legends and pundits for suggesting that the AFCON is not a major tournament.
Responding to this, while speaking on CBS Sports on March 4, 2025, Carragher admitted that the way he dismissed the prestige of the AFCON was wrong and could have made his point in a much better way.
He explained that he was suggesting that the AFCON does not resonate with the persons who vote in the Ballon d’Or, which may affect Liverpool attacker Mohammed Salah’s chances of winning the accolade.
“I don’t disrespect a club, a country, a continent, an international tournament, whatever that may be. Where I got it wrong was that I was clumsy with my language in describing AFCON as not a major tournament. I was trying to explain the merits of Mo Salah winning the Ballon d’Or.
“And I felt or feel that not just AFCON, but also the Asia Games, the Gold Cup, and not so much the Copa America. There are five major tournaments out there, besides the World Cup, that are for the continents and obviously major tournaments. But some of them don’t resonate with the people who vote for the Ballon d’Or. I’ve been advocating for Mo Salah to become the first African player to win the Ballon d’Or since George Weah in the mid-90s. So, I should have been a lot tidier with my language around that,” he explained.
Carragher’s comments have further sparked outrage among some football fans who believe that he is being more defensive than conceding his utterances as being offensive.
They indicated that the Sky Sports pundit should have retracted his disrespectful comments about the AFCON and apologised to the entire African continent for undermining the tournament.
Others noted that Carragher’s harsh commentaries on footballing issues, especially with regard to the AFCON, have made them lose respect for him.
Read some of the comments below:
He is still standing his ground. You could have just apologized and keep it moving
— Edison Ade (@buzzedison) March 5, 2025
Just a simple I’m Sorry he refused to say it, it goes to show the type of person he is, nobody need those many redemption talk, but apologies but he didn’t!!!
— Elvis Osas Odese (@elvisodese51) March 5, 2025
😅 He tried sooo hard not to say sorry. But you know.. life becomes easier when you learn to accept an apology you never got.
— 🥇Ricardo ‘Belly Mac ‘ 225 (@1BellyMac) March 4, 2025
He didn’t apologize. His armpit must be sweaty from carrying all that ego on his shoulders . He didn’t apologize for the disrespect . He explained it . What a dxckhead 💀🫵🏾
— Oshomah N’oya (@JohnNetworQ) March 5, 2025
Still no apology? @CBSSports @CBSSportsGolazo needs to think about dropping him.
Let him go and be clumsy on Sky Sports no one watches Sky Sports anymore.
— Femi (@AlaShiNe) March 5, 2025
🗣 “I was clumsy with my language.”
Jamie Carragher on earlier remarks that AFCON is not a major tournament
🎥 @CBSSportsGolazo pic.twitter.com/IqIeDQ9swD
— Omutegeke | 🇺🇬🎙️ (@CliveKyazze) March 5, 2025
That’s not what he said the first and second time he doubled down. If he explained it like this, we wouldn’t be having this conversation . I was hoping that he would be dismissive again so Henry can cook him.
— emmabee899 (@emmabee899) March 4, 2025
Does this clear the air now…?
Jamie Carragher gives further explanation on what he meant when he said AFCON isn’t “A major tournament”.pic.twitter.com/Cec5Pkv7BH
— Dorcas Koki😘Sports Diva (@Dorcas_Koki) March 4, 2025
Meanwhile watch as Ghanaians debate the appointment of Jordan Ayew as Black Stars captain below
SB/EK
