Human Rights Condemn Lionel Messi For Partying With Oppressors In Gabon

Lionel Messi is getting it from all angles for his recent visit to Gabon. The Barcelona forward has been criticised by the Human Rights Foundation for ‘partying with oppressors’ in the African country.

In the country to promote the 2017 African Cup of Nations, Messi was photographed with notorious Gabonese dictator Ali Bongo.

It was reportedly a rather lucrative trip for Messi to take. France Football claimed he was paid €3.5 million for the appearance. Messi has denied this.

Lionel Messi Threatens France Football Over €3.5m Gabon Payment Claim

Leo Messi has categorically denied receiving payment for his visit to Gabon last week, following claims by France Football that he was paid 3.5m euros by Gabon President Ali Bongo.

In fact, Messi has been so outraged by the claims made that he’s demanded a retraction from the French publication, according to Mundo Deportivo.

According to the Spanish paper, Messi didn’t receive a single euro for the visit, and agreed to it because of his friendship with former teammate Samuel Eto’o, who is close with Mr Bongo.

Lionel Messi Meets President Ali Bongo In Gabon

Four-time world player of the year Lionel Messi linked up with Gabonese president Ali Bongo Ondimba on Saturday to lay the first stone at a future African Cup of Nations venue.

The Barcelona star, who won a treble of Spanish title, Copa del Rey and Champions League last season, officially started the building process at the Port-Gentil Stadium, which will host Africa Cup of Nations matches in 2017.

The ceremony took place on a wide sandy ground where the stadium will be built. It was the Argentine forward's first visit to Gabon and he signed autographs on team jerseys worn by his fans, before proceeding with the laying of the first stone, accompanied by the president.

GABON 2 BURKINA FASO 0: Gallant Panthers Win Three Points To Top Group A

The Panthers of Gabon picked up a convincing 2-0 win over Burkina Faso in the second Group A tie at the on-going 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who features for Borussia Dortmund in the Germany Bundesliga, gave Gabon the lead after 19 minutes with a well taken goal when he ran onto a through ball and saw his first attempt rebound off the keeper. But then he slotted the ball into the roof of the net on the rebound.

EBOLA!!! Eaglets Barred From Entering Gabon

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has sent a protest letter to the Confederation of African Football, CAF, after Gabonese authorities barred the Nigerian U-17 National Team from entering Gabon apparently over Ebola fears. The incident occurred Friday in Lome, Togo, as Nigerian players and officials were asked to disembark from a Libreville – bound ASKY Airline flight.

Having flown from their base in Calabar to Lagos, and travelled by road from Lagos to Cotonou as a result of the cancellation of all Gabon – bound flights from Lagos, members of the team were issued boarding passes on the ASKY Airline flight from Cotonou to Libreville, via Lome, only to be told the trip has been suspended.