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Authorities in Gabon have denied claims that the country paid to have Leo Messi visit the country this week to take part in an event on the construction site of a future venue for 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.
Messi and ex-Blaugrana team mate Deco were invited to join Gabon President Ali Bongo Ondimba to lay the first stone at the Port-Gentil stadium, which will host the 2017 CAF-organized tournament.
However, information published in African investigative web site "Mondafrique" and French bi-weekly, "France Football" allege that Messi was paid 3.5 million euros for his appearance in the nation.
Those claims were refuted in a statement issued by the Embassy of Gabon in France: "The Republic of Gabon strongly denies have transferred or having promised to transfer any sum of money to the Argentine international football player Lionel Messi", who was "in Gabón from 17 to 18 July 2015" on the invitation of Ali Bongo".
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France Football reported: "In Gabón, where a large part of the population does not benefit from income from the oil business, the opposition denounces political distraction tactics and other forms of ‘circus’”. The French publication also claimed that Samuel Eto’o, who has close ties to Bongo, may have had a role in the visit and went on to add that the opposition party has voiced their anger that two million euros of public funds went to cover friendly games against Brazil and Portugal as well as "several million dollars" for a visit by Pelé.
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