Morocco's Football Federation (FRMF) President Fouzi Lekjaa has announced that the country will no longer submit bids to host African competitions. In an interview with Al Jazeera 360, Lekjaa stated that Morocco will not bid for any African competitions, regardless of their nature, and wished other countries the best if they choose to organize them. This decision comes after Morocco hosted the African Football Confederation (AFCON) tournament, which was marred by controversy.
The controversy surrounding AFCON included a hate campaign targeting Morocco during and after the final match against Senegal on January 18. The event was marked by vandalism and hooliganism, with Senegalese fans attempting to storm the pitch. Lekjaa addressed the issues, stating that Senegal never complained about security before the final. In fact, the Senegalese federation president had praised the stadium as world-class and said everything was perfect.
Lekjaa also responded to Senegal's criticism of security during the tournament. He claimed that the Senegalese federation had issued a communiqué announcing their team's arrival time, which led to fans gathering to cheer for them. This resulted in fans surrounding the team, with the Senegalese federation alleging a lack of security. Morocco has since strengthened security measures around stadiums and host cities.
Lekjaa denied claims that Morocco exerts "disproportionate influence" within the Confederation of African Football (CAF). He emphasized that Morocco has no employees within CAF and no effective representation in its committees. Lekjaa attributed his role as head of CAF's finance committee to his professional background in the sector.
The FRMF President paid tribute to Moroccan fans, who showed wisdom during the final against Senegal. He recalled Senegal's complaints about their hotel, which was assigned by CAF, and their refusal to train with the Moroccan national team. Lekjaa stated that Morocco's security does not need praise, as the country already has a strong reputation among international partners.
Lekjaa's decision to withdraw from hosting African competitions marks a significant change in Morocco's football strategy. The country has previously hosted several international tournaments, including the AFCON. The reasons behind this decision are not entirely clear, but Lekjaa's statements suggest that Morocco is reevaluating its priorities in African football.
The implications of Morocco's withdrawal from hosting African competitions are yet to be seen. Other countries may now have the opportunity to host tournaments that Morocco would have previously bid for. Lekjaa's announcement has sparked discussion about the future of African football and the role of Morocco within the CAF.
Key points
- Morocco will no longer submit bids to host African competitions.
- The decision follows controversy surrounding the AFCON tournament.
- Lekjaa denies claims of Morocco exerting disproportionate influence within CAF.
