Rayo Vallecano explains why Pathé Ciss, the AFCON winner, wasn’t honored sooner

The Spanish team Rayo Vallecano has given an explanation for why, after Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations victory, it chose not to publicly honor its player, Pathé Ciss.

After failing to acknowledge Ciss, who was instrumental in Senegal’s championship run that culminated in victory over Morocco in last Sunday’s final, the club came under fire from certain fans.

The Senegalese midfielder posted a post on X where a fan questioned the club’s choice, according to reports in the Spanish media.

Rayo Vallecano said in a statement on Sunday that the lack of a tribute was because Spain was in national grief following two deadly train accidents last week.

The club stated that celebrating in any way during that time would not have been proper.

Rayo claims that in remembrance of the victims, players donned black armbands and observed a minute of mourning prior to their 3-1 La Liga home loss to Osasuna.

Prior to Rayo’s home league match against Oviedo on February 7, the team announced that Ciss would get “well-deserved recognition.”

Every Spanish league game that took place over the weekend began with a minute of silence.

Senegal international Pape Gueye was honored by Villarreal on Saturday, and the midfielder gave the supporters his Africa Cup of Nations winner’s medal and trophy.