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An Ivorian football fan has issued a public apology after being caught on camera flirting with a woman during Cote D'Ivoire's recent Africa Cup of Nations match against Senegal.
The married man, identified as Anselme Santos, was seen in crowd shots chatting up and smiling with a young lady next to him in the stands. Their rapport drew attention because it appeared more focused than the actual Round of 16 matchup between the Ivorians and defending AFCON champions Senegal.
Video clips of Santos' apparent flirting went viral on social media, and he was mocked for ignoring the exciting action on the field in favor of conversing with his female companion. Some have even called him unpatriotic for not fully supporting his national team.
In response to the criticism, Santos admitted he made a mistake by attempting to romance the woman during the high-stakes match. He admitted that his actions reflected poor judgment and disrespected his wife and children.
"I should have been focused on supporting my country, not pursuing my personal interests. My behavior was inappropriate and I sincerely apologize to my family," Santos stated.
Cote D'Ivoire won the game 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, advancing to the AFCON quarterfinals. However, Santos became an unwitting internet celebrity as a result of his disregard for the historic outcome.
The viral episode serves as a cautionary tale for fans to keep their eyes on the action when representing their nation in the stadium. Santos learned that lesson the hard way.
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