Jamie Carragher has labelled Rio Ferdinand a ‘clown’ after the former Manchester United defender waded into the controversy over his AFCON comments.

Carragher, 47, landed in himself in hot water after appearing to dismiss the notion that the Africa Cup of Nations is a major tournament. Speaking on Sky Sports after Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Manchester City on Sunday, the ex-Reds centre-back felt that Mohamed Salah playing in AFCON counted against his case to be the best player in the world.

On the latest episode of his podcast, Ferdinand claimed that Carragher’s assessment is representative of the majority view and implored FIFA to help bring its prestige in line with the European Championship and Copa America.

‘I think [what he said] is representative of most of the people out there,’ said Ferdinand. ‘But I don’t think that’s right. It’s an ignorant thought process.
‘If you go to Didier Drogba, Abedi Pele , Samuel Eto, Riyad Mahrez, Mo Salah or Sadio Mane, they’ll tell you “we have to win this” – there’s demand in their country to win this.
‘Yes, it doesn’t get backed resources wise like the Euros but that doesn’t mean you have to devalue it. It should be respected more than it is.’

Salah, 32, has never lifted the African continental title, but has twice on two occasions, doing so in 2017 and 2021.

He is the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or this year, with him in the midst of a historic individual season for the Reds who could claim three major prizes this term.
Ferdinand added:  ‘I understand what Jamie’s saying but I don’t agree with it. That’s the majority’s fault and its not right. I think the federations like FIFA need to make sure they implement language around AFCON so it equals the Euros and the Copa America.
‘Jamie is right in what he is saying. If Salah won AFCON that would have no bearing on anyone when they vote for the Ballon d’Or, which is absolutely wrong.’
However, Carragher wasn’t happy with the former United defender’s take.
‘I didn’t say that you clown,’ Carragher commented on the Instagram post of his former rival discussing the subject. ‘Stop playing to the gallery like you always do.’
The social media spat comes after Carragher was also labelled as ‘unforgivably ignorant’ by former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys for downplaying the significance of the tournament.
Writing in his blog post, Keys, 67, did not explicitly mention Carragher but made clear reference to the debate surrounding his comments.

Keys wrote: ‘Never mind the PL’s best ever – Mo Salah might just be Liverpool’s best ever – despite the fact he’s never played in a big tournament. Seriously. What ignorance. Unforgivable ignorance’.
‘Time and again down the years I’ve referenced the arrogance of so-called experts that live and work within the borders of the UK who think nothing beyond their territory matters.
‘It’s why our WC here in Qatar was dismissed by so many of them – despite it going on to be the best ever – climaxing with the best games of football I’ve ever seen. ‘‘Qatar?’’, they asked. ‘‘Not England? Why? How could that happen?’’

‘I’m slightly off course, so let me correct that. In a stat-based world, here’s one to think about. In Egypt alone, we at beINSPORTS probably had in excess of 100m people watching the showdown of the Egyptian Kings on Sunday. And that number doesn’t take into account the 22 other nations in our territory.

‘Yeah. Egypt, who’re the most successful team in AFCON history, having won it seven times. Salah hasn’t won it yet – but he gets another chance towards the end of the year. Still – it’s not one of the big tournaments is it? It’s not played in England – or Europe, so it can’t be.’