Jamie Carragher embroiled in row with Micah Richards and Rio Ferdinand after claiming Africa Cup of Nations is ‘not a major tournament’ as Sky EDIT OUT controversial comment from debate

Former England and Liverpool football star Jamie Carragher has found himself in a row with fellow ex-internationals for appearing to slight the Africa Cup of Nations – though his controversial comments have been left out of a Sky clip on YouTube.

Sky Sports pundit and former centre-back Carragher has been put on the defensive after his comments suggesting why current Reds hero Mohamed Salah, 32, might risk missing out on the Ballon d’Or annual prize for the world’s best player.

He indicated it was not prized as highly as the European Championship nor South America’s Copa América, leaving Salah less likely to scoop the top global individual award – despite his latest feats for Premier League table-topping Liverpool.

Rio Ferdinand, 46, who played for Manchester United as well as captaining England, has been among those criticising the remarks – only for Carragher to hit back by branding his former Three Lions team-mate ‘a clown’.

Carragher has also faced flak from one of Salah’s Egyptian compatriots and former AFCON winner Ahmed Elmohamady, 37, as well as ex-Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys.