Rabat – A wave of online support has emerged from the Moroccan community for the Moroccan national team coach Walid Regragui after the African Football Confederation (CAF) imposed a fine and a four-match suspension on him.
Regragui, who was accused of racism in a heated exchange with Democratic Republic of Congo’s team captain Chancel Mbemba, has not only faced the professional consequence of suspension but has also been subjected to disturbing death threats.
Moroccan netizens have initiated and widely shared the hashtag #WeStandWithRegragui on social media platforms to express solidarity with the coach.
“This situation appears unjust as Mbemba lacks evidence to support his claims. Moreover, when the referee instructed Mbemba to leave and he resisted, it raises questions about why no cards were issued despite his refusal to comply,” said a social media user.
Another netizen expressed shock at CAF’s decision to suspend Regragui, saying: “He did nothing wrong, he just asked him to shake his hand and look him in the eye.”
In addition to Moroccan fans, celebrities and public figures have joined the campaign to rally behind Regragui.
Moroccan twin singers Safaa and Hanaa said on Instagram: “We are all with the Moroccan coach who has honored Arab and African football.”
Regragui has strongly denied making racist remarks against the Congolese player. He emphasized that Mbemba’s claims were unfounded and expressed disappointment at being dragged into such a debate.
“I really didn’t like these dishonest claims. Since he only talks about religion in his statement to the press, let him be a little honest with himself,” Regragui said following the incident.
Stressing that the situation had been blown out of proportion, he noted that he has been receiving death threats online since the controversy unfolded.
Meanwhile, Morocco’s Football Federation (FRMF) released a statement saying that it will appeal the “unjust” suspension against Regragui.
The FRMF stressed that “the facts have shown that Mr. Walid Regragui did not engage in any behavior that goes against the spirit of sportsmanship.”
The exchange between Regragui and Mbemba happened live at the end of the AFCON game between Morocco and Congo DR last week. Pictures and videos documented the incident, which occurred when the coach approached the Congolese captain to shake hands amid a scuffle between Moroccan and Congolese players.
“I held his hand, and he started screaming as is evident in pictures and the widely circulated videos,” Regragui said.
