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Casablanca – Moroccan analyst and author Samir Bennis has issued a pointed critique of the officiating during Morocco’s Round of 16 victory over Canada, arguing that several decisions raised concerns about balance and consistency.
His remarks came shortly after Morocco secured a 3-0 win that confirmed its place in the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In a detailed post on X, Bennis described a sense of unease that, in his view, emerged early in the match and persisted throughout key moments. Rather than framing the issue as a single controversial call, he pointed to what he saw as a pattern that disrupted Morocco’s tempo despite its clear control of the game.
“Since the beginning of the match, I had the feeling that something was off with the referee,” he wrote.
Bennis placed particular weight on the referee’s disciplinary approach. He questioned the frequency and nature of the yellow cards shown to Moroccan players, arguing that they contrasted sharply with the physical standards typically associated with top-level European competitions.
“It was mind-blowing to see an English referee, accustomed to officiating in the Premier League, a competition known for its intensity and physicality, show four yellow cards to Moroccan players for minor fouls that hardly warranted bookings,” he added.
Bennis suggested that such calls can carry broader tactical consequences. Frequent interruptions and early cautions tend to force players into a more restrained approach, which can affect pressing duels and overall rhythm. In matches where one side dominates possession, these disruptions can dilute momentum and introduce an element of uncertainty that extends beyond the immediate call itself.
A familiar story of missed calls and lingering doubts
Bennis argued that the decisions disrupted Morocco’s rhythm and appeared to tilt the balance of the match toward Canada despite the Atlas Lions controlling large portions of the game.
He also said he feared the referee could award a penalty to Canada if there was even minimal contact inside Morocco’s penalty area.
“I had a bad feeling that the referee was tilting the balance in Canada’s favor,” he wrote.
The Moroccan analyst referenced circulating footage allegedly showing the referee appearing to apologize to Canadian players after Morocco scored their second goal.
“This video footage, in which the referee shockingly appears to apologize to Canadian players after Morocco scored its second goal, speaks volumes about his blatant bias against Morocco and a deliberate effort to disrupt its rhythm and prevent it from advancing to the quarter-finals,” Bennis maintained.
Bennis also linked the controversy to Morocco’s painful semifinal defeat against France at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, a match that remains highly debated among Moroccan supporters.
He referenced the long-standing complaints from Moroccan fans regarding penalty appeals during that semifinal.
“As Morocco prepares to face France in the quarter-finals, FIFA should be put on notice,” he wrote while tagging FIFA’s official accounts.
“Football fans around the world must not witness a repeat of the scandalous refereeing mistakes that marred the semi-final between Morocco and France at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.”
Morocco calls for fair play ahead of France clash
He further argued that Moroccan supporters are not seeking preferential treatment from FIFA ahead of the quarterfinal clash.
“Moroccans are not asking FIFA for any favors,” Bennis explained. “They are simply urging it to apply the rules of fair play fairly and to avoid any favoritism toward France.”
The upcoming Morocco-France quarterfinal has already generated intense international attention, reviving memories of the historic 2022 semifinal where France defeated Morocco 2-0.
Four years later, Morocco enter the matchup in a different position. The Atlas Lions are no longer viewed as a surprise underdog, having reached consecutive World Cup knockout stages and established themselves among the tournament’s most consistent teams.
Morocco advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating Canada 3-0 through a clinical performance led by Azzedine Ounahi and Soufiane Rahimi, while France secured their qualification after overcoming Paraguay 1-0.
The match is expected to be one of the headline fixtures of the tournament’s quarterfinal stage, both because of the footballing quality on display and the lingering narrative surrounding the controversial moments of 2022.
