He is a disappointed captain, but also upset.
Morocco's central defender, Romain Saïss, attacked the referee of the round of 16 of the African Cup of Nations, lost by Morocco (2-0) against South Africa on Tuesday.
The match could have turned out differently if the referee had not refused Noussair Mazraoui's goal in the first half, when the score was 0-0, for an offside position by Abde Ezzalzouli.
“Even when we score goals, we are refused unfairly by the refereeing body, because this one, you have to explain it to me,” regretted the former Angers player at the microphone of the Moroccan channel Arryadia.
Do not let a game action…”
“We have meetings before major competitions about refereeing, this and that, but at some point, we have to stop taking people for idiots,” he continued.
Because it can change the course of the match, afterward it’s not just that…”
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The Atlas Lions, semi-finalists of the last World Cup in Qatar, also missed a penalty in the final minutes of the match.
PSG full-back Achraf Hakimi sent his attempt onto the crossbar in the 85th minute while Morocco was still only down by one goal.
This setback, which is added to that of other favorites such as Senegal and Algeria, constitutes a surprise for a selection which aimed at at least the semi-finals of the CAN.
This could cost coach Walid Regragui, in office since 2022, his job.