RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Morocco’s dry run as co-hosts of the 2030 Will Cup could hardly have gone any worse after the chaotic outcome of the African Cup of Nations.
Sunday’s final was marred by a scuffle between fans and stewards on the field and the sending off of the Senegalese team who felt a gross injustice had been committed after a potential trophy-winning goal was canceled out in second-half stoppage time and hosts Morocco were awarded a penalty.
Enraged Senegalese supporters jumped over barricades, landed in the photographer’s position behind the goal, threw chairs onto the field and struggled with stewards before police arrived to restore order.
Meanwhile, rival players clashed on the sidelines, and Morocco coach Walid Reglagui was also involved in the scuffle, perhaps in an effort to ease tensions. There were also temper tantrums in the press box.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino condemned the “unacceptable scenes”. He criticized the Senegalese player who was sent off the field. After Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty.
After the match resumed, the fighting continued, with Moroccan star Brahim Dias conceding one of the worst penalties in soccer history. Pape Gueye then scored in extra time. Senegal won the final 1-0.
Senegal coach Pape Thiau’s post-match press conference was called off after an altercation broke out between accredited media after he arrived smiling and answering journalists’ questions, presumably to boos from Moroccan journalists.
security breach and towel
Apart from the security failure that allowed fans to enter the stadium during the final, there were also incidents that cast hosts Morocco in a bad light, including a sustained battle by Senegal’s backup goalkeeper Yehuvan Diouf to stop Morocco’s ball boy from playing. Steals starting keeper Edouard Mendy’s towel During the match.
Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabari was also stripped of his towel before the match. Semi-final penalty shootout against Morocco.
Apparently Morocco was like that too. benefit from a favorable referee However, their image as good hosts was somewhat tarnished by the deafening whistles that Moroccan fans directed at their opponents at the 69,500-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, where the home team played all their games.
Before the final, the Senegalese Football Federation strongly criticized the local authorities. How the team was treated upon arrival in Rabat For the match.
Positives off the field
Morocco is the main co-host country for the 2030 World Cup, along with Spain and Portugal. There is still hope to host the final at Hassan II Stadium, which is currently under construction and will be the world’s largest football stadium with a capacity of 115,000 when completed in 2028.
The rail connections that take supporters from Rabat to stadium venues in Tangier, Marrakech, Casablanca, Agadir and Fes are excellent, and ONCF’s ticket app is available in English, French and Arabic, making it easy for international fans to use.
The highways between major cities were also excellent and were praised by journalists arriving from other African countries.
Morocco has already invested heavily in infrastructure and facilities. Aiming to become a soccer powerhouseit’s not over yet.
kingdom The Women’s Africa Cup will be held next time. Three consecutive times since March 17th.
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Associated Press on Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations
