Caf President Ahmad has lauded Premier League side Liverpool for their decision to release Senegal’s Sadio Mane and Egypt’s Mo Salah for tomorrow’s Aiteo CAF Awards.
He was speaking at a press conference in Ghana’s capital Accra ahead of tomorrow’s awards ceremony.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said it’s a form of respect to allow the two players to leave despite his side’s FA Cup tie against Merseyside neighbours Everton a day after.
“We sleep in a hotel, they sleep in a plane. That is all the difference,” said Klopp.
“We have to show them respect.”
The Liverpool duo are in contention for the African Player of the year award alongside Gabon and Borrussia Dortmund’s Piere Emerick Aubameyang.
Ahmad hinted that a private jet will be on standby to whisk the two players away immediately after the awards.
He also announced CAF’s decision to scrap the Referee of the year award saying that it had the “tendency of encouraging corruption and manipulation”.
He said “The best referees already have their awards by officiating at the biggest event in the continent and abroad. So they need no award again”.
“Secondly, we don’t want to encourage corruption in the refereeing industry as we believe awarding then can breed corruption”.
Ahmad however poured cold water on reports newly elected president of Liberia George Weah would be attending tomorrow’s event. He said Mr. Weah was unable to attend for “personal reasons”.
Hans Mensah Andoh/Beachfmonline.com/Ghana
