Former France international goalkeeper Jérôme Alonzo has launched a fierce attack on Moroccan football authorities following the treatment of Senegal goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf during the turbulent 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat.
Alonzo placed responsibility squarely on the hosts, arguing that incidents involving Diouf reflected poorly on Morocco and undermined the image of African football on a global stage.
Senegal edged Morocco 1–0 after extra time to lift the AFCON title, but the final was overshadowed by controversy, stoppages and flashpoints that extended beyond decisions on the pitch.
While much attention centred on the walk-off protest and officiating, Alonzo focused on what he described as unacceptable scenes involving Diouf, who was not even in the matchday action.
The substitute goalkeeper became a focal point late in the game as he attempted to protect a towel belonging to first-choice Senegal keeper Édouard Mendy.
In wet conditions, the towel was needed to dry Mendy’s gloves, but ball boys repeatedly tried to remove or hide it. Diouf stepped in to prevent that from happening, leading to heated confrontations on the touchline and drawing criticism from observers.
Speaking in comments carried by Football Tweet and attributed to the Le Parisien, Alonzo questioned how such scenes could occur in a showpiece final hosted by Morocco. “In a final watched by the whole world, how can Morocco, as the host nation, allow this kind of disgraceful act to happen twice in two different matches?” he said.
While acknowledging the progress made by Moroccan football in recent years, Alonzo insisted the incident had damaged its standing.
“I know Moroccan football very well, and I am aware of the tremendous work done by the federation, but right now all of that has lost its value in the eyes of global opinion,” he added. “What happened is the responsibility of the Moroccan federation. This type of behaviour cannot be allowed.”
Alonzo was particularly forceful in condemning the treatment of Diouf. “Yehvann Diouf was blatantly assaulted in the final. That is unacceptable. Of all the incidents in the match, the attack on the Senegalese goalkeeper was the worst thing to watch,” he said.
He ended with a stark warning, pointing out Diouf’s calm temperament and suggesting the situation could have escalated dangerously had the player reacted differently. The episode has since intensified calls for CAF to review conduct around the final and consider disciplinary action.
