The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has reacted to the controversy surrounding the unfortunate incident between Moroccan coach Walid Regragui and Congolese captain Chancel Mbemba.
The federation called for fair play and referred to the excellent relations between the kingdom and the Democratic Republic of Congo as the benchmark for ties with the central African country.
On Monday, the FRMF deplored “without being in the logic of the accusation” all the anti-sporting acts that followed the second Group F game between Morocco and DR Congo played the previous day.
In a statement responding to the post-match controversy, the FRMF recalled “the special and historic relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as the fraternal ties between the peoples of the two countries.”
The Federation also highlighted “the exceptional cooperation between the FRMF and the Congolese Federation (FECOFA),” noting that “the number of Congolese players playing in Morocco and the football exchanges between the two federations are a true testimony to that.”
It also noted that its president, Mr. Fouzi Lekjaa, was the first to congratulate the coach of the Congolese team, Sébastien Desabre, “reflecting the spirit of the selection, which was evident throughout the match.”
“In addition, the Moroccan player Achraf Hakimi was present during the treatment of the Congolese player Henoc Inonga Baka,” the same source added.
“With these clarifications, the FRMF reaffirms its attachment to the values of good conduct, ethics and fair play and believes that these facts will only strengthen the fraternal ties between the two countries,” the statement concluded.
As a reminder, an altercation broke out on the pitch at the end of the Morocco-RD Congo match on Sunday afternoon at the “Laurent Pokou” stadium in San Pedro, Cote d’Ivoire.
The verbal altercation between coach Walid Regragui and Congo captain Chancel Mbemba continued with the players as far as the dressing room, as shown on video.
HA/lb/abj/APA