Morocco’s Football Federation (FRMF) has commented on the heated exchange between the Atlas Lions head coach Walid Regragui and DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba following the DR Congo Vs Morocco game on Sunday.
The FRMF issued a press release to provide “clarifications” on the “unfortunate” events that took place following the game.
In the press release, the federation recalled the “distinguished and historical” ties between Morocco and DR Congo, highlighting the exceptional cooperation between FRMF and the Congolese Football Federation.
It also recalled the partnership agreement between the two federations, describing it as a “clear testament to the strong ties.”
Condemning all “unsportsmanlike behavior” following the heated 1-1 game between Morocco and DR Congo, FRMF said it did not wish to enter into a blame game. Instead, the Moroccan federation emphasized its commitment to the values of sportsmanship and fair play.
The statement recalled President Fouzi Lekjaa’s congratulatory message to the Congolese team, arguing that this should reflect the values of high sportsmanship between the two teams.
FRMF concluded its statement by emphasizing that the events that took place at the end of the game would not affect the brotherly ties between the two countries.
The Moroccan statement Coles in the wake of a much-reported heated exchange that took place
between Regragui and Mbemba following the Morocco vs DR Congo 1-1 game on Sunday.
The exchange unfolded after the Atlas Lions head coach approached the Congolese captain to shake hands with him at the end of the game.
Rgragui told the French sports outlet L’Equipe that the player had been looking somewhere else as if he did not want to shake hands with the Moroccan coach.
“I held his hand, and he started screaming as is evident in pictures and the widely circulated videos,” Regragui said, strongly denying claims that he made racist comments in his altercation with the Congolese player.
“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 stressed.
