The Morocco vs DR Congo match is set to take a new turn. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has decided to take action. An investigation is underway to determine responsibility for the post-match incident.
In the night from Monday to Tuesday, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced the initiation of an investigation in response to the incidents that occurred on Sunday at the end of the match between Morocco and DR Congo (1-1) during the 2nd round of Group F in the CAN 2023.
A CAF statement declares: “CAF has opened an investigation against the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) and the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFA) following the incidents at the end of the meeting between Morocco and the Democratic Republic of Congo, during the ninth day of the CAF TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, Ivory Coast 2023. CAF will make no further comments on this matter until the investigation is completed.”
Morocco vs DR Congo, CAF Steps In
Recall that tensions erupted during an altercation between Moroccan coach Walid Regragui and Congolese captain Chancel Mbemba. A general gathering took place on the field, extending into the tunnel leading to the locker rooms, including an attempted assault by Lions of the Atlas striker Youssef En-Nesyri on Mbemba.
The FRMF issued another statement in the evening aimed at easing tensions, consisting of four points. Firstly, it recalls “the special and historical relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as the fraternal ties between the peoples of the two countries.” Secondly, it emphasizes the “exceptional cooperation relationship between the FRMF and the Congolese Federation (FECOFA), with the number of Congolese players playing in Morocco and the existing football exchanges between the two federations being a true testament.”
In the third point, it expresses regret for “deploring, without being in the logic of accusation, all the unsportsmanlike acts that followed this match.” Finally, it mentions that “FRMF President Mr. Fouzi Lekjaa was the first to congratulate the coach of the Congo team, Sébastien Desabre, reflecting the spirit of the selection that manifested throughout the match. Moreover, Moroccan player Achraf Hakimi assisted in the care of Congolese player Henoc Inonga Baka.
Morocco vs DR Congo, the War of Words
By providing these clarifications, the FRMF reaffirms its commitment to the values of good conduct, ethics, and fair play, considering that these facts will only strengthen the fraternal ties between the two countries.
On its part, FECOFA formally levied accusations of racism, not necessarily targeting Regragui, that Mbemba would have been a victim of. These incidents reportedly occurred after the match, along with “acts of aggression,” likely referring to the attempted assault by Youssef En-Nesyri, restrained by teammates.
In a statement titled “Message of Indignation from FECOFA Regarding Racist Insults and Acts of Aggression on Chancel Mbemba,” the organization explains that at the end of the match, the central defender from Olympique de Marseille “was subjected to discourteous remarks from Moroccan players, following their coach, up to being a victim of aggression from them in the corridors of the locker rooms.” However, the organization does not provide additional details on the racism accusations mentioned in the title of the statement, signed by Dieudonné Nsambi Nsele, president of the normalization committee of FECOFA. It also threatens to take the matter to CAF.
It now remains to be seen the conclusions of CAF, which could potentially impose sanctions on Mbemba, Regragui, En-Nesyri, among others.
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