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Rabat – Jordanian player Saleem Obaid has issued an apology to Morocco’s head coach Tarik Sektioui following a controversial moment at the end of the Arab Cup final, where several Jordanian players were seen ignoring and refusing to shake hands with the Moroccan coach and players after the match.
Videos captured Sketiouii – visibly enthusiastic and praising Jordan’s performance – extending his hands to shake hands with the players and congratulate them on their performance.
The Jordanian team’s acts sparked widespread debate online.
The same videos showed FIFA President Gianni Infantino lightly protesting the players’ behavior. Jordan coach, Jamal Sellami, hugged Sektioui and publicly emphasized that Sektioui deserves all the best.
In an interview, Sektioui responded to the situation calmly, stressing that good intentions are always rewarded and emphasizing the importance of humility in football and beyond.
Following backlash the Jordanian team received from Moroccan and non-Moroccan fans, Obaid took to social media saying that the situation “was not international.” He said the act does not represent Jordanians’ manners.
“We offer our apologies to the captain. He has all our love, respect, and appreciation,” Obaid said. He also extended congratulations to Morocco’s national football team.
The Atlas Lions defeated the Jordanian team 3-2 in a thrilling game attended by over 844,500 fans at the stadium.
Moroccan cities across the country erupted in celebration of the momentum that added another golden memory to the Moroccan football portfolio.
