The Mauritanian Football Federation dismissed allegations circulating in the Algerian media regarding the expenses of the national team, “Al-Murabitun,” for the preparation and stay in Côte d’Ivoire during the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
This comes just hours before the crucial face-off between the Algerian and Mauritanian teams in the last group-stage match of AFCON.
The Mauritanian Football Federation’s statement read, “In the past few hours, we have followed reports in some private Algerian media outlets claiming that a foreign country has covered the expenses of the national team during its preparation for the 2023 AFCON in Tunisia and its stay in Côte d’Ivoire.
This alleged coverage includes accommodation, air transport, logistical requirements such as clothing, and various equipment.”
The statement emphasized that these reports are entirely untrue, stating, “The Mauritanian Football Federation would like to confirm to everyone that there is absolutely no truth to these news stories, which have unfortunately been widely circulated and published.”
The same source reiterated that both the Mauritanian government and the local football federation consider the financing of the national team, both in its domestic and international activities, as a sovereign matter not open to discussion or negotiation.
The statement concluded by urging everyone to exercise caution regarding such fake news, as their promoters seek to disrupt the team and its preparations just hours before its decisive match in the third round of the AFCON group stage.
