Morocco FA president Fouzi Lekjaa dismisses political ambitions

Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) president Fouzi Lekjaa has ruled out becoming Morocco’s next head of government while insisting that he will continue to defend the country’s position in the dispute surrounding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal.

Lekjaa made the comments in an interview with Jeune Afrique published on Monday, addressing speculation about his political future following his entry into the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), as well as the ongoing legal dispute over the AFCON final.

Lekjaa dismisses head of government speculation

Asked about the possibility of becoming head of government following Morocco’s 23 September legislative elections, Lekjaa said the position had never been part of his plans.

“Head of the government? I have never thought about it,” he said, according to Jeune Afrique.

The FRMF president also indicated that his immediate attention was on the electoral process.

“I have a mission that ends on September 23.”

Lekjaa, who also serves as Morocco’s Minister Delegate for the Budget, joined the PAM this year and became a member of its political bureau.

His move into party politics had generated speculation about whether he could take on a more prominent political role following the elections.

Morocco continues AFCON final challenge

Alongside his political future, Lekjaa addressed Morocco’s ongoing dispute over the 2025 AFCON final against Senegal.

Senegal won the match 1-0 after extra time, with Pape Gueye scoring the decisive goal after a dramatic conclusion to regulation time.

The incident that has become central to Morocco’s case occurred after a penalty was awarded to the Atlas Lions, prompting Senegal’s players and technical staff to temporarily leave the pitch.

Morocco subsequently pursued the matter through CAF’s disciplinary and appeal procedures before taking the dispute further through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Lekjaa reiterated that Morocco intends to continue defending its position, arguing that the incident should be considered according to the regulations governing the competition.

CAS proceedings remain in focus

The controversy has therefore moved beyond the result of the final itself, with the legal process continuing after CAF’s appeal process ruled in Morocco’s favour.

Lekjaa maintained that the actions of Senegal’s players and technical staff in leaving the field should be examined within the framework of the applicable competition regulations.

The case is now set to continue before CAS, with October 8 identified in a recent report as an important date in the proceedings.

However, that date should not necessarily be interpreted as the day CAS will deliver its final ruling on the dispute.