Moroccan Soccer Federation Condemns ’Barbaric Attacks’ on Youth Team in Algeria

In a statement released on Friday, September 9, the FRMF states that it has sent a letter to the Arab Union to express its outrage. "Following the unsportsmanlike acts and barbaric attacks suffered by the players of the Moroccan under-17 national team, at the end of the final of the Arab Cup which pitted them against their Algerian counterparts, the FRMF has sent a letter to the Arab Union to express its outrage following the barbaric and brutal acts of the Algerian players and the public who invaded the field," reads the statement.

The Moroccan federation highlights the total absence of security agents on site, even though many supporters had come to attend the match between the two Maghreb countries and some of them invaded the field. With this complaint, the FRMF demands firm measures "in accordance with the laws and regulations governing the practice of football".

In addition to the letter, the FRMF states that it intends to "resort to all legal means in order to ensure the rights of the Atlas Cubs and to establish the principles of fair play which were completely absent during this match which pitted children under 17 years of age".

To recall, the Moroccan team was leading 1-0 during this Arab Cup final before Algeria equalized in the 90th minute. The opponents of Morocco will win the trophy after the penalty shootout. It was following the victory of the Algerians that some players headed towards the Moroccan goalkeeper before beating him.