Hakimi calls for Morocco to be awarded AFCON title, issues apology for on-pitch conduct
Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi has called for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations title to be awarded to his national side, following the controversy that marred their quarter-final exit. The comments came in a post-match interview with Spanish broadcaster Movistar+ following PSG's 2-0 Champions League win over Liverpool. The 2023 final, originally scheduled to be hosted by Côte d’Ivoire, was moved to Morocco at short notice, but the tournament was mired in controversy when Morocco's semi-final against Senegal was abandoned in the 80th minute with the score at 1-1, following a contentious penalty decision and subsequent pitch invasion by fans.
Hakimi, a key player for Morocco, stated that the team's victory should be validated by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). 'We are currently assessing the situation, and we hope a decision will be made in the interest of football and Africa,' Hakimi said. 'I hope we can win, because we deserve it and because you can't just leave the pitch like that.' The defender expressed hope that CAS would award the title to Morocco, who were leading the competition until the abandoned match.
In a surprising admission, Hakimi also offered a public apology for his own conduct during the chaotic scenes. The defender was seen throwing a towel in frustration, an act that was widely criticized. 'It's a difficult time, marked by tensions on the pitch. I am not proud of the image we gave with those towels,' Hakimi admitted. 'Despite that, the team performed well on a sporting level.' The 25-year-old's comments represent a rare public apology from a player involved in the unsavory scenes that led to the match's abandonment.
The 2023 AFCON, already rescheduled and relocated, descended into chaos during the semi-final in Rabat. With the score at 1-1, a penalty was controversially awarded to Senegal in the 78th minute. The decision sparked a pitch invasion by fans, leading to a 45-minute delay and the eventual abandonment of the match. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) later awarded the victory to Senegal, who went on to win the trophy. Morocco appealed the decision to CAS, and a ruling is pending. The incident has cast a long shadow over African football, with Hakimi's comments and apology highlighting the ongoing fallout and the high stakes for the nations involved. The player's decision to speak on the matter underscores the lingering sense of injustice felt by the Moroccan camp, even as the Senegalese squad was crowned champions.
