Moroccan Football, Monarchical Issues, and Time for Reflection

Moroccans are a vibrant people with a deep cultural heritage, yet their nation has frequently made headlines for contentious issues over the past sixty years.

They have gained a reputation for being intolerant and contentious, traits often overshadowed by a subservient disposition.

The decision for Morocco to host the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals was met with skepticism from various observers who understood the dynamics of Moroccan politics.

Post-tournament, it was evident that the games were marked not by the unity typically associated with football, but by significant unease both on and off the field. Traveling supporters faced harassment, and there were reports of Moroccan officials and ball boys inappropriately interacting with foreign players and officials throughout the matches.

For Morocco, the event resembled not a sporting competition but a battleground.

Contentious officiating also muddied the waters, evident when Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala controversially disallowed a clear goal for Senegal. He also awarded Morocco a contentious penalty with just moments remaining, igniting outrage from Senegal's players. This prompted Coach Pape Thiaw to pull his team off the pitch, resulting in a 17-minute pause that only resumed with interventions from captain Sadio Mané.

Ultimately, Senegal triumphed, securing victory with a legitimate goal in the AFCON final on January 18.

In a surprising turn, a frustrated Morocco, who had resumed play with some enthusiasm, lodged a complaint to the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Approximately two months later, Morocco was awarded the championship title by the CAF Appeals Board, which argued that the player stoppage was against its regulations. This ruling ignored the reality that the match continued under the referee's guidance and with both teams' consensus to complete play.

The football community reacted with outrage, emphasizing that championships should be determined through on-field performance rather than boardroom decisions.

The matter worsened when the CAF directed Senegal’s Most Valuable Player, Sadio Mané, to surrender his award to Moroccan player Brahim Díaz.

While there is no definitive evidence to suggest that the CAF Appeals Board was swayed by Morocco’s influence, the incongruity of their decision coupled with Morocco’s overt determination to claim the trophy raised suspicions of unethical conduct.

However, it’s crucial to note that the challenges related to Morocco should not be directed towards its populace, but rather the oppressive monarchy. This distinction was highlighted by Moroccan captain Achraf Hakimi, who, in a show of sportsmanship, refused the dubious honor. He conveyed a heartfelt message: "My mum advised me to forgo the AFCON trophy. I am publicly rejecting it and urge my teammates to consider doing the same. Senegal merited their victory, and it would be unjust to diminish their achievements after their perseverance. I respect CAF's decision, but I won't be accepting the trophy. Congratulations to Senegal once again."

There is little doubt that the monarchy will respond to Hakimi's dissent, as such defiance does not go unpunished.

Moreover, the monarchy’s push to maintain the controversial CAF title will likely escalate, reflecting its persistent agenda for recognition, even at significant expense.

Historically, this character is evident: to challenge the African Union's (AU) recognition of Western Sahara—territory partially held by Morocco—the monarchy sought to entice several African nations to establish consulates in the contested regions, effectively seeking to normalize its occupation.

The Moroccan monarchy and the CAF leadership have tarnished African football's reputation and have only intensified divisiveness across the continent with their actions.

Looking back to the late 1970s, Morocco attempted to fracture the then Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union, after it was determined that it could not occupy a fellow African nation. Following a series of judicial losses, Morocco sought the support of other African nations and upon failing, staged a walkout, leaving without any allies in tow. It would take 33 years for Morocco to rejoin the AU, following its previous disgrace.

The issue lies not within the Moroccan people, but rather with a monarchy that displays no sense of accountability or honor. Its desire for European acceptance is distressingly apparent.

In 1987, Morocco's bid to join what is now the European Union (EU) was met with inevitable rejection, as no reasonable observer believed its application could succeed when it is an African nation.

Despite this undeniable rebuff, the Moroccan monarchy continues to exploit the resources of Western Sahara, dispatching them to European nations as if they were trophies of conquest.

The European Court of Justice has ruled multiple times that Morocco lacks the legitimacy to plunder Western Sahara, yet the monarchy persists in its exploitative practices.

Africa's pathway to growth hinges on the regional integration of its nations—a cornerstone for comprehensive continental unity. Ruinously, while other regions progress towards this goal, North Africa remains paralyzed due to Morocco's antagonistic relations with its neighbors. Consequently, the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU), headquartered in Rabat, has seen no functional activity since 1994, over thirty years ago.

After disrupting AMU's cooperative structure, Morocco sought to engage with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

However, how can a nation from North Africa legitimately seek integration into a regional body designed for West African nations? This application was dismissed outright.

Morocco uniquely expels individuals it claims as its citizens—an unprecedented practice.

A case in point occurred in 2009 when Aminatou Haidar, a Sahrawi human rights advocate, returned to Morocco only to be detained, her passport confiscated, and subsequently deported to Las Palmas, a Spanish territory. The unanswered question remains—if she is a citizen of Morocco, where was she expected to go?

If there is no substantive change in Morocco's political environment, the country will likely face challenges co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Portugal and Spain.