Lionel Messi in Gabon with President Ali Bong: Photo from Reuters
Lionel
Messi has gone back to training with Barcelona after taking some
vacation that includes a visit in the African country Gabon. While
the time off was supposed to relax himself, it turned out otherwise
after critics blasted him for the way he dressed in the occasion
attended by Gabon president Ali Bongo Ondimba. Gabon officials
criticized him for unshaven face and just wearing shorts when
appeared with the country's leader. There were also reports he
received huge amount for the affair.
The
Gabon issue surrounding Lionel Messi has been put to rest. However,
the Human Rights Foundation just would not let this one go. Their
issue is not the the Barcelnoa star's attire but the support he has
given to the person the organization deemed as corrupt and human
rights violator.
"In
providing PR services to Gabon's Bongo family, Lionel Messi has
seriously undermined the credibility of his own charitable
foundation,” HRF president Thor Halvorssen said in a statement
posted on the group's website.
"Whereas
Messi claims to support children's rights, and even serves as a
UNICEF ambassador to promote youth education, he has endorsed a
kleptocratic regime that refuses to investigate the ritual murder of
children in Gabon."
HRF
claims the La Liga star is supporting a family who embezzled from the
country.
"Messi's
trip is part of the Bongo family's PR campaign to promote the 2017
Africa Cup of Nations, which Gabon will host at enormous expense
despite the fact that the Bongo family's embezzlement has left 20
percent of the population to live on less than $2 per day."
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