Mali captain Traore suspended for inciting ‘rebellion’ in team

Mali captain Hamari Traore has been suspended for inciting “rebellion” after publishing a letter criticising the national football federation, a source told AFP on Tuesday.

Real Sociedad defender Traore was among international footballers who published a letter last month criticising “poor management” and a lack of professionalism among referees in recent years.

The players have threatened to boycott the national team if the federation does not resolve the crisis they say Malian football is going through.

The letter, which was addressed to supporters, caused a stir in Mali. Traore did not respond to a summons to appear before a disciplinary committee.

The 32-year-old was suspended “for lack of honour and dignity, incitement and rebellion against the national team and Malian football”, an official told AFP.

He added that the decision was taken “as a precaution” while the case was referred to the disciplinary committee.

Mali were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations in February and are fourth in their 2026 World Cup qualifying group with one win, two draws and one loss.

National team coach Eric Sekou Chelle was sacked last month after two years in the job.

bur-lal/each/pb