Umaru Bangura
Sierra Leone captain Umaru Bangura had his house attacked by angry fans after missing a penalty which saw his country miss out on qualification for the next stage of the 2022 World Cup.
Bangura saw his stoppage time penalty saved by 18-year-old Liberia goalkeeper Ashley Williams, which meant they lost the tie 3-2 on aggregate, having won the match 1-0.
After the match, supporters pelted his house in the country’s capital Freetown with stones, while a song has even been released which mocks the miss.
“[It was] one of the worst days of my life,” Bangura told the BBC. “I can’t even go outside because I didn’t expect this kind of hostility towards me.
“I did my job by stepping up as the captain to take the spot kick. I am really disappointed. But at the same time I wish to say sorry [and] beg for their forgiveness.”
Four Red Cross volunteers were also injured after being attacked outside the ground after fans accused them of trying to smuggle Bangura away.
“I was really disappointed with the Sierra Leoneans,” the country’s sports minister, Ibrahim Nyelenkeh, told the BBC. “Some disgruntled hoodlums went to [Bangura’s] house and pelted stones at it.
“It is not good for the game. He is our captain [and] football is a game of chance. [Hooliganism] is becoming unprecedented. I think measures should be put in place to combat it.”