Soccer fans are outraged over the blatant disrespect for African players in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) following a white player's supposed record-breaking game.
Major European news outlets claimed Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal made history for scoring in eight consecutive major tournaments when he scored a hat-trick against Spain Friday.
In actuality, a Ghanian player, Asamoah Gyan, holds the record. Gyan accomplished the feat three years ago. In a tweet, he called out the "disregard" of his achievements.
"People disregard my achievements in the World Cup history," he tweeted Friday.
Many outlets excluded the African Cup of Nations claiming the largest tournament on the African continent was not as competitive as others.
No he isn't. Asamoah Gyan was THREE years ago with a goal against Algeria at 2015 Afcon. https://t.co/SuFbwpITQi
— Michael Oti Adjei (@OtiAdjei) June 15, 2018
By some accounts, Gyan scored nine times. He scored a goal versus Czech at 2006 World Cup, an opening goal at AFCON 2008 against Guinea 3. Then, he squeezed in three goals at AFCON 2010 including SF winner against Nigeria. Gyan has scored in games at World Cups and AFCONs as recently as 2017.
People disregard my achievements in the World Cup history but I want the whole world to know that I have not been given the fair shake but records will remain forever ????????
— ASAMOAH GYAN (@ASAMOAH_GYAN3) June 15, 2018
Many are calling out what they believe is racism and racial bias toward the tournament.
Yesterday we said that Ronaldo was the first player to score in nine international tournaments. That is not True . Ronaldo is behind one African man Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan. He deserves utmost Respect and due recognition. #WCsoka25
pic.twitter.com/fGKzpag0n5— Collins Okinyo (@bedjosessien) June 16, 2018
The “Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the first player to score at eight major international tournaments” stat.
It’s – rightly – not going down well in Ghana.
Why? @ASAMOAH_GYAN3 has scored in 9 major tournaments. World Cups and AFCONs from 2006 to 2017.
— John Bennett (@JohnBennettBBC) June 16, 2018
AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS! The biggest tournament on the continent! Same as Euros… if you are an African and you don’t recognize it you need your brain examined.
— Bridge-it O2 (@Bridget_Otoo) June 16, 2018
His fans know the truth. It's time he received the respect he deserves.
