Sérey Dié Denies Involvement in Alleged Comments on Ivorian Football Fetish Claims
By BBC News Staff, reporting from Abidjan
Ivorian international Sérey Dié has forcefully denied making controversial remarks attributed to him regarding alleged occult practices within the leadership of Ivorian football. Speaking to Le Sport on Thursday, the FC Basel midfielder expressed his anger and surprise over the claims, calling them false and disrespectful.
The remarks, which were published earlier this week by local outlet Sport-Ivoire, quoted Sérey Dié as saying he was rendered “blind and tied up” during Ivory Coast’s World Cup match against Greece, insinuating supernatural interference and suggesting that football authorities should be questioned about their practices.
“For this match, I couldn’t see anything at all. I was as if tied up and blind. Everything was black. I couldn’t see anything on the pitch. I think we should ask the leaders to reveal their practices,” the report quoted him as saying.
But Sérey Dié has firmly refuted ever saying those words.
“It was with great surprise that I read these comments attributed to me,” he said. “It’s a lack of respect for Ivorians. Whether here or in Brazil, I don’t think I’ve ever given any interview where I said such things. I’m a thoughtful man. I would never make such comments, especially after a disappointing result.”
The 29-year-old, who featured for the Elephants during their group stage campaign in Brazil, made it clear he would never cast blame or accuse anyone within the national set-up — especially after working so hard to earn his place in the squad.
“I didn’t criticise anyone. I went there to defend my country, and I’m proud of that,” he said. “Things didn’t go our way, but at no point did I speak to any journalist to say such things. It’s not my place, especially since I was one of the newer members of the squad. I fought to be there.”
Sérey Dié also stressed that if he ever did have something critical to say, he would not hide behind anonymous sources.
“If tomorrow I have something to say, I will say it openly and take full responsibility,” he declared.
The midfielder, affectionately known as “Sérézo”, is currently back home in Abidjan, taking time to recover from the emotional and physical toll of Ivory Coast’s early World Cup exit. He said he is focused on moving forward and enjoying a restful break.
“This is just adding to the pain of our elimination,” he said. “Especially when it’s not the truth.”
Sérey Dié remains a respected figure in Ivorian football, and his public denial aims to clear his name amid growing speculation. As questions continue to swirl around the team’s disappointing campaign, the midfielder’s message is clear: he played with heart — and without hidden agendas.
