Patrice Evra appeared to suggest that Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy was denied the Lev Yashin trophy due to racial discrimination, SportBible reports.
Former Manchester United and France full-back Evra was dismayed to see PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who won Euro 2020 with Italy, receive the award instead of Champions League winner Mendy.
Speaking on Instagram, Evra said: “The goalkeeper… what about Edouard Mendy? 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.”
Evra, who was born in Senegal, clearly believes that his country’s No. 1 was unfairly overlooked for the Ballon d’Or award, which Donnarumma won ahead of him on Monday night.
Mendy had conceded fewer goals at Stamford Bridge this season than Juve’s goalkeeper on the night, former Arsenal shot-stopper Wojciech Szczesny, after Chelsea’s 4-0 win over Juventus in the Champions League a week ago.
For the first time this season, the Pole was playing there. It was match number nine for Mendy. Following Jadon Sancho’s opening goal in Chelsea’s draw with Manchester United last weekend, each team has now conceded four goals.
Mendy has undoubtedly had a fantastic year. However, Donnarumma took the top prize after helping Italy defeat Spain and England in penalty shootouts with crucial saves in the Euros semi-finals and final.
He has since joined PSG, who look set to return to winning ways in Ligue 1 this season after signing him in early December.
