ABIDJAN, January 24, 2024 - The Moroccan Sports Press Association followed with concern and astonishment the amplification and distortion of the facts following the deplorable incidents that occurred after the Morocco-Democratic Republic of Congo match on Matchday 2 of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 taking place in Ivory Coast.

The AMPS condemns the brawl which caused a sporting confrontation between two major teams united by respect and friendship to end on a negative note. The AMPS brings to the public's attention that it was indeed the Congolese international, Chancel Mbemba, who premeditatedly sparked the controversy.

ACCUSATION The AMPS expresses its concern over the disinformation and defamation campaigns trying to make people believe that it is the Moroccan national team coach, Walid Regragui, who initiated the conflict. Some media even went as far as accusing Regragui of making racist remarks towards the Congolese central defender. These media and social media attacks against the coach had dangerous repercussions, including death threats aimed at Regragui.

Recognising the noble and respectful character of Walid Regragui, both as a player and in his capacity as a coach, the AMPS firmly refutes all allegations made against him.

INVESTIGATION Being assured of the investigative capacity of the Confederation African Football (CAF) and its ability to reveal the truth of what really happened after the Morocco-DRC match, the AMPS ensures that the Moroccan national team and its coach are unfazed by the lies and defamation spread on social networks. 

The AMPS, as an entity representing the sports press in Morocco, also invites all journalists from the Congolese press to block the defamation campaign against the Moroccan national team, which aims to poison the excellent relations between the two brotherly countries on all levels.