Moroccan Football Unites in Support of Suspended Coach Walid Regragui

Thursday 25 January 2024 - 12:24

The surprising suspension of Morocco's national team coach, Walid Regragui, by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) just hours before their match against Zambia has sparked outrage and defiance among players and fans alike.

Regragui received a four-match ban, including a suspended two-match sanction, and a $5,000 fine due to an altercation with a DR Congo player last Sunday. The Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) was also fined $20,000.

During Wednesday's match, Regragui, watching from the stands, garnered vocal support from star player Hakim Ziyech. Ziyech celebrated his winning goal by forming a heart sign with his hands, directing it towards his suspended coach.

Expressing confusion and longing for their coach, midfielder Sofyan Amrabat stated, "We don't understand why the coach was suspended. We miss him and want to express our love for him" during a press conference following Morocco's 3-1 victory.

Assistant coach Rachid Benmahmoud, who stepped in for Regragui, voiced regret at what he deemed an "unjust" decision by CAF. "We are confident the FRMF will act swiftly to address this," he added.

Moroccan fans launched social media campaigns supporting Regragui, employing hashtags such as #We_Stand_With_Regragui to voice their dissatisfaction with CAF's sanctions.

The FRMF criticized the penalties as "unjust" and pledged to appeal, asserting that Regragui's actions were not unsporting.

By uniting behind their suspended manager, the Moroccan team and its supporters are signaling their defiance against perceived unfair treatment by African football's governing body. This collective solidarity underscores the deep admiration for the coach who has elevated the Atlas Lions to new heights.