Morocco Coach Regragui Faces Backlash Over Olympic Team Involvement

Walid Regragui is facing strong criticism on social media due to his proximity to the Olympic team in Paris. The coach of the Atlas Lions has shown himself to be a little too available for the Cubs, criticize the Moroccan supporters who have noted his presence at the players’ hotel, during training sessions, in the stands, in the corridor leading to the locker rooms at half-time, or on the field after the end of the matches.

These supporters denounce what they consider to be an interference by Regragui in the affairs of the Olympic team in Paris, believing that he has overstepped his prerogatives as national team coach and disrupted the work of Tarik Sektioui, the coach of the Olympic team. On social networks, Moroccan fans have severely criticized Regragui for having spoken with the players during the half-time of the semi-final match against Spain, played on Monday at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille.

The supporters wonder what the national coach could have told the Cubs for them to concede two goals in the second half, when they were leading 1-0. "What instructions did Regragui give the players for them to concede two goals in the second half?" wondered an Internet user. "In terms of play, the most beautiful team in the competition and the most beautiful national team I’ve ever seen in my life. [...] What bothers us is Regragui’s interference. Too serious," another indignant.

To recall, supporters had held Regragui responsible for the departure of Issame Charaï, who had led the youth team to victory in the U23 Africa Cup of Nations and ensured their qualification for the Paris Olympic Games. "This change is part of the new approach of the national teams committee, focused on coordination and communication between the technical staffs of all the national teams," the Moroccan Football Federation had explained. Eliminated by Spain (1-2) in the semi-finals, the Cubs will try to win the bronze on Thursday in Nantes.