The Mali national team captain has been indefinitely suspended by FEMAFOOT ahead of the Paris Olympics.
Real Sociedad defender Hamari Traore has been dismissed as the captain of the Mali national team and barred from future call-ups until further notice, following a controversial social media post that criticized the team's management.
This dramatic decision by the Malian Football Federation (FEMAFOOT) underscores the tension between the federation and its players over logistical preparations for international matches.
The controversy began after Mali's unexpected draw against Madagascar during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
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Despite Madagascar being reduced to ten men early in the game, Mali failed to capitalize on the advantage, a performance that did not sit well with fans and players alike.
Traore took to social media to voice his frustrations, a move that set the stage for his eventual fallout with Femafoot.
"Our leaders must listen to us and understand the crucial issue of preparing for these matches, which are so important for our people," Traore stated.
His public call for better management resonated with several of his teammates, some of whom have threatened to boycott future national team call-ups if conditions do not improve.
FEMAFOOT responded swiftly to Traore's criticisms with a press release condemning his public outbursts.
The federation accused the defender of undermining team unity and disrespecting the management hierarchy.
They summoned him for a meeting to discuss his comments, but Traoré did not attend, believing the issue was not his alone but shared among a significant number of the national team players.
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The federation's decision to strip Traore of his captaincy and suspend him from the national team reflects a broader struggle within African football, where issues of mismanagement and poor logistics frequently surface.
Players are increasingly using public platforms to express their dissatisfaction, which often leads to clashes with national federations resistant to public scrutiny or criticism.
This incident could have wider implications for the Malian team's morale and performance, especially as they prepare for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
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