The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has sanctioned Gabon captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang following his action before their Afcon qualification clash versus Gambia.
Aubameyang has been fined $10,000 by the Confederation of African Football (Caf) for publishing “offensive and degrading material” that “dents the image of the African football ruling body”.
The Arsenal star has been sanctioned for admonishing Caf after being made to feel like a “hostage”, having been forced to sleep in an airport alongside his teammates ahead of the Group D Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Gambia.
“Mr. Pierre Emerick Emiliano Francois Aubameyang has publicly published offensive and degrading material that undermines the honour and image of the Confederation of African Football,” a statement from Caf read.
“In terms of the Caf Statutes & Regulations, in terms of Articles 10, 11, 43.1, 46, 82 of the Disciplinary Code, the Caf disciplinary board decided to impose a fine of 10,000 USD for breach of the values of sportsmanship and integrity on the Gabonese Football Federation for the regrettable behaviour of the player.”
Gabon was set to play the Gambia in Bakau on Monday, but they arrived at the Banjul International Airport late on that Sunday night.
Upon their arrival, the Panthers were delayed at the airport with reports indicating their passports were seized despite providing their coronavirus results to the immigration officers for checks.
Aubameyang took to twitter and Instagram to post videos and photographs, of himself and team-mates passing time on the Airport floor having had their passports taken from them by security.
The Panthers lost the game 2-1 courtesy of goals from Modou Barrow and Musa Barrow at the Independence Stadium.
Aubamenyang can appeal this decision before Caf’s appeal board within the next three days.
