Ivory Coast and FC Sion defensive midfielder Serey Die could be banned by FIFA if found guilty of assaulting a Cameroonian journalist during the last round of Africa’s World Cup Qualifiers.
The world football governing body received a report that the 37-year-old shoved a television cameraman after 1-0 loss against Cameroon in Younde on Tuesday.
Tensions were high after the game but it gave no excuse for the events that unfolded next.
The former Stuttgart player was heading to the dressing rooms before a heated 10-seconds exchange that resulted to the star shoving the reporter.
Stewards in the scene intervened and split the melee up but the journalist was taken to hospital afterwards and reported the incident to the authorities.
An investigation has been launched into the fracas and he could be handed a fine by FIFA and Ivorian FA according to sources.
“FIFA is investigating the issue and a decision will be taken when they are done with it. There are two possible cases here which is if he is guilty then a fine or ban depending on the severity of the alleged assault,” a source told Ducor Sports.
Die returned to the Ivory Coast national set-up in 2020 after having announced his retirement from national team back in 2019.
The midfielder has a wealth of football experience having played for teams in the Swiss Super League, the German Bundesliga and for the national team.
He currently turns for Swiss club FC Sion on a short-term deal as he continues his career in Switzerland.
Die has been capped 54 times and scored two goals since making his international debut for the Elephants back in 2004.
He won the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations and played in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
As defending champions, he was captain when the Elephants exited the 2017 Nations Cup in the group stage.
