Montaigu Tournament: Gabon’s participation cancelled.
30 mars 2023
The 50th edition of the Montaigu tournament this year will finally take place without the participation of the Panthers of Gabon U16, due to the refusal of the Consulate General of France to issue visas to the 23 players and the ten members of the delegation selected to accompany them. This is the information communicated yesterday by the communication and marketing department of the Gabonese football federation.
“The Gabonese Football Federation regrets to inform the selected players and their parents that the participation of the Gabonese U16 team is cancelled.“ reports the press release.
While all arrangements related to accommodation, catering and transport had been made by the Gabonese Football Federation, wishing not to see this young generation sacrificed, the consulate decided otherwise. The reasons given by this entity are related to the fact that it would have reasonable doubts as to the will of the members of the delegation to leave the European area after the expiry of the visa, in other words.
The French consulate thinks that after the competition, the members of the delegation could take to their heels.
It should be noted that an organization had been set up with the aim of better supervising these young people who only ask to pursue their dream, that of becoming a professional footballer. Nothing will happen. All the parties remain very affected by this more than deplorable situation. This is a late reaction from the French consulate which comes a few days before the start of the competition.
D.N