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Fez — Egyptian singer and actor Mohamed Ramadan has publicly addressed the controversy surrounding his planned participation in activities linked to the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, stressing that the situation stemmed from individual decisions and does not affect his deep respect for Morocco and its people.
In a message shared with fans, Ramadan explained that he had been invited to take part in the official AFCON album and had immediately cleared his schedule to record and film his contribution in Marrakech. He said the project initially included a performance at the opening ceremony, before organizers informed him that his appearance would be moved to the closing ceremony.
According to Ramadan, the change was attributed to public criticism questioning how an Egyptian artist could perform at the opening of a tournament hosted by Morocco. “They told me there was a campaign asking how an Egyptian could sing at the opening of a championship in the Kingdom, even though it is an African tournament,” he said, adding that he accepted the adjustment without objection.
The situation escalated, however, when communication reportedly stopped less than 24 hours before the closing ceremony. Ramadan said he was left without clear information about whether his participation would go ahead, despite having canceled other commitments to be available.
“This was an individual action that upset me,” Ramadan said. “I cleared my schedule and canceled things, and yet no one even thought to apologize or clearly tell me that there was a problem or that my participation was being canceled.”
He also addressed a video sent to him referencing unrelated media commentary, questioning its relevance to his situation. “What does this have to do with me, and what is my connection to this?” he said, describing the handling of the matter as confusing and unprofessional.
Despite his frustration, Ramadan was careful to separate the incident from his broader view of Morocco. “This does not diminish my love, respect, and appreciation for Morocco,” he said. “Do not take the action of one person and place it on an entire great country.”
He emphasized that responsibility lies with the individuals involved, not with institutions or nations. “Those individuals are responsible for their actions, and their mistakes reflect only on them,” he added, noting that the same principle applies to both Morocco and Egypt.
Ramadan concluded by reaffirming his affection for Morocco, from its people to its leadership. “What happened upset me, but my respect and love for Morocco remain until my last day,” he said, offering prayers for the country’s king and crown prince.
The episode has sparked debate online about cross-border cultural participation during major sporting events, showing the sensitivities that can arise even within shared continental platforms such as AFCON.
