Former Manchester United defender, Patrice Evra has claimed that Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy was denied winning the Lev Yashin trophy for racial reasons.
Evra was not impressed as he watched PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma – who won Euro 2020 with Italy – beat Mendy to the award.
The Senegalese had helped Chelsea win the Champions League with his heroic displays, but finished second behind Donnarumma, with Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak in third.
Speaking on Instagram, Evra appeared to suggest the reason why Mendy was snubbed was because of his race and not because Donnarumma was more worthy of the prize.
He also criticised attitudes towards the Africa Cup of Nations, which begins in Cameroon on January 9.
“Also the goalkeeper… what about Edouard Mendy? You know, but of course, African Cup, we are the monkeys so no one respects this competition.
“We are the only competition where you have to leave your club, leave for three weeks and play that cup because in Africa we always have a little space.
“But things will change, things will change,” he charged.
Mendy was born in France but plays his international football for Senegal, while Evra was born in Senegal but represented France.
Mendy has won 16 caps for the African nation and is expected to play for them in the Africa Cup of Nations.