Moroccan Coach Regragui Receives Outpouring of Support Amid Racism Allegations

On the web, many Moroccan Internet users have launched and shared the hashtag "All with Regragui" to express their support for the coach of the Atlas Lions, accused of having made racist insults against Chancel Mbemba during the altercation between the two men at the end of the Morocco-DR Congo match on Sunday. Accusations rejected by the Moroccan technician. Among the supporters of Walid Regragui are Moroccan celebrities.

"You are not just a coach, you have taught many lessons on how to see things in life, you are a model of perseverance, victory and taking responsibility, as well as love for the homeland and high morals. We will always support you and all the members of the team, because you are the pride of our country... May God grant you victory," writes actress Hind Saadidi. Comedian Oussama Ramzi also joined this campaign of support. "We love you, brother, and we are always with you, regardless of the dream we lived with you, we saw with you the free Moroccan and morality, and this was seen by the whole world... Long live Morocco," he writes in a story on his Instagram account.

On Tuesday, the Moroccan technician returned to the controversy that followed the altercation between the Congolese player and him. "We made a bit too much of it. There were no blows given. This controversy was a bit too exaggerated for 48 hours. Between coach and players we know each other. To say that I had racist remarks is shameful. I will defend my image to the end. I received racist and death messages. It illustrates everything that is happening in the world. Mbemba also received some. It’s not possible," he said at a press conference, adding that he had learned from this incident that next time he should only shake hands with the coach and the referee, and not the players at the end of a match.