Last week, Moroccan head coach Walid Regragui faced disciplinary actions from the African Football Confederation (CAF) Disciplinary Committee following a heated exchange with Chancel Mbemba after the CAN 2023 group stage match against DR Congo, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Originally, Regragui was handed a four-match suspension, two of which were to be served immediately, as well as a $5000 fine. However, the CAF appeal committee later exonerated Regragui, overturning the penalty.
Despite Chancel Mbemba’s allegations of racist remarks by Regragui, the CAF did not reveal the specific reasons for the initial sanction or its subsequent revocation. In a press conference prior to the round of 16 match against South Africa, Regragui clarified the incident, stating: “I simply said ‘look at me!’. I want to thank the CAF, especially the appeal committee, as there was no reason for my suspension.
The reason for the initial suspension was ‘why did you hold the player’s hand and simply say: ‘look at me’. For this, I was suspended for four matches, two of which were firm, and fortunately, the appeal committee recognized that a coach could hold a player’s hand without being suspended for it.”
The Moroccan team manager also admitted a mistake, acknowledging that holding Mbemba’s hand might not have been the best decision, and apologized for this action. Regragui expressed his gratitude to the CAF for rectifying this “obvious error” and sought to dispel rumors of racist comments. It remains to be seen how Regragui’s version will be received by the Congolese fans…
Mbemba Affair – Regragui’s Comments in Video:
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