Few hours before the start of the match against Zambia, which ultimately won 1-0, the Atlas Lions learned the suspension of their coach Walid Regragui by CAF, for 4 matches.

Indeed, a few hours before the start of Morocco’s match against Zambia, CAF, which had opened an investigation, announced the suspension of Regragui for 4 matches, 2 of which were suspended, following his altercation with Chancel Mbemba.

This decision goes badly in the Moroccan camp.

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation reacted through a press release. “Following the binding decision of the Disciplinary Commission of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to suspend the coach (…) ,the Royal Moroccan Football Federation decided to appeal this unfair decision due to the fact that coach Regragui did not violate at no time the values of Fair play. “Despite this, the 48-year-old technician, who has always denied the accusations against him, was not able to be on the bench last night.”

While he was in the stands, his deputy Rachid Benmahmoud replaced him. After the meeting, he also defended his colleague. “We received the news around 3 p.m. For us, Walid could never say a disrespectful word. I was present, he did nothing. On the contrary, it was the player who provoked us during the match and Walid did not respond…”

After the final whistle of the match against Zambia, Sofiane Amrabat was asked about the situation of Walid Regragui, who will therefore not be on the bench during the 1/8 final against South Africa if the Confederation of African Football maintains its sanction.

“Walid is our brother, our father, it was quite complicated to have to play without him on the sidelines. Besides, we don’t understand why CAF made this decision and why it was announced at the eleventh hour , just before the match. In any case, we achieved the essentials, hoping to continue the same momentum and continue to evolve,” the Manchester United player said.