Regragui renews criticism of Thiaw as Morocco await final ruling on AFCON dispute

Walid Regragui has again criticised Pape Thiaw’s conduct during the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final between Senegal and Morocco, saying the controversy had damaged the image of African football.

The former Morocco manager was speaking publicly for the first time in several months as a consultant on Canal Football Club. Inevitably, much of the discussion centred on the events surrounding the final, which remains the subject of a legal dispute.

Regragui left his position as Morocco manager before recently breaking his silence on what happened during the match. His comments came days after he told Atheer: “je suis champion d’Afrique, que ca plaise ou non” “I am African champion, whether people like it or not”.

However, when asked directly about the final on Sunday, Regragui chose not to give a definitive answer. Instead, he pointed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which is expected to issue its ruling in October.

The coach did, though, repeat his criticism of Thiaw, who was Senegal’s manager at the time. Thiaw had urged his players to leave the pitch in protest after a penalty was awarded to Morocco.

For Regragui, the incident had consequences beyond the result of the match.

“ Honnetement, ca ne s’est jamais vu, quelqu’un aller snapper dans le vestiaire pendant 15 minutes et dire ‘on a quitte le terrain’. C’est une honte. Donc se sentir champion d’Afrique ou pas ? Le plus important, c’est qu’aujourd’hui tout le monde est malheureux“, Regragui said.

The Moroccan also argued that the lengthy interruption unsettled Brahim Diaz, who subsequently missed the penalty.

The final verdict currently gives Morocco the Africa Cup of Nations title. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) appeal decision went in Morocco’s favour, but the CAS ruling will determine the final outcome of the dispute.

Regragui said the episode had left everyone dissatisfied, regardless of which side is ultimately recognised as the champion. His comments underline the continuing bitterness surrounding a final that was interrupted by the protest and has since moved from the pitch to the legal arena.

The former Morocco boss had been largely silent since leaving the national-team post. His return to the media, first through his remarks to Atheer and then through his appearance on Canal Football Club, has now put the disputed final back at the centre of attention.

The CAS decision, due next month, is expected to settle whether Morocco retain the title awarded to them following the CAF appeal process. Until then, the status of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final remains unresolved despite the existing CAF verdict.