Regragui: Referee Defense & Senegal Brotherhood

National voter Walid Regragui stressed the need to focus on what is happening on the field, reiterating his full confidence in African arbitration, and stressing that the historical and fraternal ties between Morocco and Senegal remain stronger than any sporting result.

Regarding the arbitration controversy, Regragui said in the press conference preceding the “Cannes” final: “I will not allow the issue of arbitration to pollute our thinking, as mistakes are part of the game in Africa and Europe alike.” He added: “It is unfortunate that this talk is exaggerated. I always tell the players to focus only on the field. In every match, the loser complains about the referee, and this will not develop us.”

Regragui called for enhancing confidence in African competencies, saying: “Do we want to return to bringing in European rulers? This is a step backwards. We are a continent that is progressing and we must trust our rulers and improve our mentality.” Regragui cited the Qatar World Cup semi-finals as an example: “We had a clear penalty kick for Boufal against France, and we did not complain or say that we lost because of it; the best is the one who wins in the end.”

Regragui highlighted the spirit of brotherhood that unites the two countries with a special human touch, as he recalled his life in France, saying: “I lived in Cordes-sur-Seine, and my neighbors on the fourth floor were the Senegalese Tal family. We ate with each other and lived as brothers.” He gave a special greeting to “Hassan Tal” and “Maryam Tal,” adding with a smile: “We are ‘disputing’ until the end of the match because each side wants its country to win, but this is the logic that should prevail in Africa: we quarrel on the field and remain brothers outside it.”

Regragui concluded his statement with a high spirit of sportsmanship: “We will remain brothers until the starting whistle, after which it will be a football match for 90 minutes, and then we will return to being brothers as we were. If God does not grant us victory, we will congratulate our brothers in Senegal and we will be happy for them as they put the second star, and I am sure that they will do the same thing if Morocco wins.”

It is noteworthy that the “Atlas Lions” will face the “Tiranga Lions” tomorrow, Sunday, at eight o’clock in the evening at Prince Moulay Abdullah Stadium in Rabat, in a historic final that is expected to be a football wedding for the African continent.