In another example of biased decision making Mahamadou Diarra and Frédéric Kanouté have been ordered to play for their powerful Spanish employers this weekend, rather than in the crucial Mali-Sierra Leone ACN qualifier.Real Madrid can win La Liga this weekend if they beat Mallorca and therefore need Diarra. Similarly, Sevilla, who need Kanouté for this weekend’s clash with Villarreal.FIFA has ruled in favour of the European clubs. “FIFA has surrendered to pressure from the Spanish clubs,” says Mali’s French manager Jean-François Jodar . “It seems a little African federation doesn’t count as much as Spanish giants”.
Kanute quote…””It shows a lack of respect towards me and Mali.I’m upset for my country because FIFA is showing no respect for African national sides. We are not important for them.”
More on the story here …