MEMBERS of Cte d’Ivoire’s football team are being held in the capital Yamoussoukro on Tuesday, following their elimination from the African Nations Cup.
The players have been taken to a “military camp” and have had their passports and portable phones seized, said Catherine Loiseau, a sports management consultant who spoke with the wife of Modibo Diallo who plays for Le Havre.
A source close to the military junta currently in charge of the country, led by General Robert Guei, said that “President Guei has demanded the players be put in a hotel before he meets with them tomorrow.”
The source, who asked not to be identified, said Guei is unhappy with the team’s performance.
“Before the competition, Guei met with them and offered some advice. These are players who are spoiled. Each of them has received five million CFA (US$8000). And now fans are angry,” he said.
An official at the sports ministry said the players have “been regrouped to avoid the claws” of disgruntled fans.
The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) meanwhile said it is not aware of the team’s whereabouts.
Cote d’Ivoire’s team, the Elephants, left the Ghanaian capital Monday evening after defeating Ghana 2-0. But this fell short of the three goals they needed to go on to the second round of the tournament.