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Rabat – The African Football Federation (CAF) announced that it is launching an investigation into the heated exchange that took place between the team staff of Morocco and DR Congo after their Sunday match.
The investigation will extend to both the Moroccan and Congolese football federations, CAF said in a statement on Monday. “CAF will not make any further comment on this matter until the investigation is complete,” the statement concluded.
The incident involved Morocco’s national team coach Walid Regragui and DR Congo’s team captain Chancel Mbemba.
Regragui told French sports outlet L’Equipe, that the argument ensued when he approached the Congolese captain to shake hands at the end of the game and the player avoided eye contact.
“I held his hand, and he started screaming as is evident in pictures and the widely circulated videos,” Regragui said, responding to claims that he made racist comments when talking to the Congolese player.
“I really didn’t like these dishonest claims,” he went on to say. “Since he only talks about religion in his statement to the press, let him be a little honest with himself.”
For his part, Mbemba told the press on Sunday that he would not share all details of his allegations of racist abuse from Regragui, claiming that it was “better…to keep (the) silence” in the wake of such a controversy.
“Everybody knows me, I respect everyone…but I never thought I’d hear that word from the coach, that it would come from his mouth,” Mbemba said.
He claimed to have videos other than the widely circulated one that more clearly document his heated exchange with Regragui. However, he said he would not share these alleged other videos because he believes in God and His righteousness.
The Moroccan Royal Football Federation (FMFR) issued a statement commenting on the incident.
In the statement, the Federation lauded the “distinguished and historical” ties between Morocco and DR Congo, highlighting the exceptional cooperation between FRMF and the Congolese Football Federation.
Additionally, it recalled the partnership agreement between the two federations, describing it as a “clear testament to the strong ties.”
The Federation further expressed its strong condemnation of all “unsportsmanlike behavior,” adding that it does not wish to enter into a blame game.
Read Also: Regragui-Mbemba Heated Exchange: FRMF Committed to Sportsmanship Values
