CAF Summons Tanzania Coach Over Morocco Cheating Allegations

This summons follows an official complaint from the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), based on the coach’s statements on an Algerian television channel. Adel Amrouche had accused Morocco of "cheating", claiming that the FRMF is in the habit of using its influence within CAF to choose the referees for its matches.

The Tanzanian Football Federation has made it known that it does not recognize the statements of the Algerian coach. "We do not support the statements of our coach Adel Amrouche," said Wallace Karia, the president of the Tanzanian Federation in an interview with the local media Azam TV, stressing that his federation respects Morocco for its constant efforts in the development of football. "We will know how to react to the reckless and provocative statement of coach Amrouche," he added.

"You know the strength of the Moroccan federation... They run African football, [...] and even the referees are chosen according to their criteria, if we qualify, it will be without cheating or the help of a third party," the Algerian coach had declared, before apologizing later, during the pre-match press conference against Morocco, as part of the first round of the Africa Cup in Côte d’Ivoire.

The coach of the Tanzanian team explained on the occasion that his words had been misinterpreted. "Morocco is one of the best teams in the world for the quality of its players and the tactical thinking of its coach, a team that beats Brazil cannot be said to be winning by chance, no one can erase the history of the Moroccan team and its results speak for themselves," he explained. And to continue: "It is difficult to face the Moroccan team and its great players again... We are realistic and aware of the size of our opponent and its strength." Morocco beat Tanzania 3-0 on Wednesday at the Laurent Pokou stadium in San Pedro.