Fouzi Lekjaa's Firm Stance on Victory and Compliance
In a recent interview, Fouzi Lekjaa, the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), delivered a powerful message to Senegal as the two nations await a ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS). This comes in the wake of a dispute concerning the outcome of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025, where Morocco was declared the winner by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following a controversial withdrawal of Senegalese players during the final match. The FRMF submitted its defense memo to the TAS on May 11, responding to Senegal's appeal after Morocco was retroactively awarded the title, despite losing the match on the field in a tense 1-0 extra-time finish.
Victory is Always Significant, Says Lekjaa
During his conversation with _Onze Mondial_, Lekjaa expressed his satisfaction regarding the decision while acknowledging the lack of joy that comes from a victory off the pitch. He lamented the chaos that ensued during the final, referencing the incident where Senegalese players withdrew from the match, which overshadowed what should have been a celebratory conclusion to the tournament. "A victory remains a victory: it brings three points in a league, a star when winning a competition, and it is forever etched in the history of a club or national team," he asserted, stressing that while they would have preferred a more fitting conclusion to the competition, they still value the recognition of their win.
Lekjaa firmly maintained his position regarding strict adherence to regulations, particularly referencing articles 82 and 84, which penalize a team's withdrawal from a match. He emphasized that the institutions of Morocco have acted within the law throughout this process, choosing to remain composed and dignified despite their disagreements with the initial ruling. "We have consistently pursued this matter in line with established rules, and we are pleased with the outcome so far," he stated confidently.
Looking ahead, Lekjaa confirmed that the FRMF intends to follow through with the proceedings, ready to accept the TAS's final decision. He noted, "Our Senegalese counterparts have chosen to continue their appeal with TAS. We will see this process through to the end and will naturally accept the final verdict, whether favorable or not." The TAS's decision is anticipated to be announced after the 2026 World Cup, taking place from June 11 to July 19, with Morocco and CAF opting for the conventional procedural route, much to Senegal's disappointment, as they had requested an expedited process.
As reported by afrik-foot.com.
