Morocco-DR Congo last Sunday was very hot. Once the match ended 1-1, players from both teams engaged in a monumental battle that could have ended in the worst possible way.
In this context Walid Regragui, Morocco coach, denied having racist comments to Congolese captain, Chancellor Mbembaand revealed that he received death threats as a result of the confrontation.
“I will defend my image to the end”
“The debate for Saying I used racist words is just embarrassing. and I will defend my image until the end,” Regragui said today in a press conference ahead of the decisive Africa Cup match Morocco will play against Zambia that will conclude the first phase of the tournament.
“Unfortunately with social networks, with what’s happening in the world, with the hatred that can exist on both sides, “I received racist messages and death threats”Regragui continued. “Unfortunately, I think the player also received them from his side. It shows what extremes we have gone to in football matches and it is shameful.”
Regragui and Mbemba had a heated scuffle after the final whistle of Morocco-DR Congo. The incident led to a scuffle between players and coaches from both teams that continued as they left the pitch and went down the players’ tunnel.
Mbemba later suggested to reporters that Regragui had insulted him. “I never thought I’d hear that word from coach, that will come out of his mouth,” said the Marseille centre-back, who was also the subject of a barrage of racist abuse on social media after the game.
Mbemba’s Instagram account was attacked of users who responded to his latest posts with monkey or gorilla emoticons, as well as racist comments.
“Things were said after the game that were not true,” Regragui maintains now. “I didn’t insult the player”. Pictures show the Moroccan coach searching for Mbemba after the final whistle as he knelt down in thanks for the partnership’s feat against Qatar World Cup 2022’s revelation team in their fourth-last place.
The incident between Regragui and Mbemba
Mbemba took Regragui’s hand and patted him on the back. But Regragui took Mbemba’s hand and continued talking to him. It’s like he’s saying, “Look at me.” The player, angered, withdrew his hand and made a gesture referring to VAR before members of both teams intervened.
According to some media, a few minutes from the end Mbemba made a disrespectful gesture towards some of the Moroccan players, like Yassine Bounouand Regragui himself.
“What I did after the game, I always do,” Regragui said. “Maybe there was tension there and I should have let it go without looking at me. From now on, I’ll shake coach’s hand and that’s it.” “I was hurt and my family was affected,” he concluded.
Regragui believes that “society is sick. People are taking advantage of it and it’s getting worse. And there are bad people on both sides. I’m here to calm things down. I condemn the messages he and I received.”
The Confederation of African Football is investigating the incidents after the match and will not comment until the investigation is complete.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
