WAFCON 2024 Final: Morocco Lodge Official Protest To CAF

WAFCON 2024 Final: Morocco Lodge Official Protest To CAF

Sampson Adedeji

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) is reportedly set to file an official complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following their dramatic 2-3 loss to Nigeria in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for the Atlas Lionesses, who suffered another heartbreaking defeat in the final—three years after losing 2-1 to South Africa on home soil.

Controversy erupted in the 71st minute when, moments after Morocco leveled the score at 2-2, Nantes striker Imane Saoud’s shot struck a Nigerian defender’s hand in the penalty area.

The referee initially awarded a penalty, but the decision was overturned after a VAR review.

The Moroccan camp has since accused the officiating team of a “refereeing scandal.”

Social media was awash with criticism, while FRMF president Fouzi Lekjaa publicly confronted Namibian referee Antsino Twanyanyukwa live on air, accusing her of wrongly deeming the handball involuntary before being reminded by FIFA president Gianni Infantino to maintain decorum.

Hassan Boutabssil, director of Arryadia TV, alleged that crucial VAR footage was withheld from the on-field referee.

“The FRMF will file an official complaint with CAF. VAR deliberately deprived Morocco of a clear penalty. Replays broadcast on TV showed the handball clearly, but the referee was only shown two blurred angles,”

Boutabssil claimed. If proven, the VAR officials could face sanctions.

However, any disciplinary action would not alter the match result a reality that leaves Moroccan fans devastated.