Walid Regragui faces criticism after Morocco’s Olympic defeat

Walid Regragui, head coach of Morocco’s senior national team, is under scrutiny following the Olympic Atlas Lions’ exit from the Paris 2024 football tournament. The Moroccan side’s dreams of a medal were dashed after a 2-1 semi-final defeat to Spain on Monday in Marseille.

The loss has sparked a wave of discontent, not only among the players and supporters but also on social media.

The defeat, which came as a blow to Morocco’s aspirations for gold, has led to intense criticism directed at Regragui, who is perceived to have played a controversial role in the team’s campaign.

The focus of criticism is twofold. Firstly, Walid Regragui’s presence during the semi-final match has raised eyebrows.

Although he was not officially part of the coaching staff for the Olympic team, Regragui was seen in the vicinity of the Vélodrome stadium, reportedly providing instructions to the players during halftime.

This intervention has been interpreted by some as undermining the authority of Tarik Sektioui, the Olympic team’s head coach.

Sektioui, who faced criticism for a late tactical change in the 88th minute—three minutes after Spain’s second goal—has been accused of poor decision-making during a crucial phase of the match.

The timing of his substitutions has been questioned, adding to the frustration among fans and analysts.

Regragui, who guided Morocco’s senior team to significant successes, is now being urged by some supporters to resign from his role.

The perception that he may have interfered with Sektioui’s management has fueled calls for accountability and has overshadowed the performance of the Olympic squad.

The controversy underscores the complexities of team dynamics and leadership, particularly in high-stakes tournaments.

As Morocco reflects on its Olympic journey, the focus will likely remain on the roles played by both Regragui and Sektioui, and the impact of their decisions on the team’s performance.