Morocco-Senegal: Claude Le Roy breaks the silence on the penalty and the "sin of pride" of Brahim Diaz

The final played in Rabat on January 18 ended with the crowning of Senegal in an atmosphere of extreme tension. Following a penalty awarded to Morocco at the end of the match, the Senegalese players initially left the pitch to protest against the refereeing decision. Claude Le Roy recounts having advised the captain Sadio Mané to bring his teammates back onto the pitch in order to avoid heavy sports sanctions and a deterioration of the image of African football. He believes that the definitive withdrawal of the team could have led to a suspension from the World Cup and several editions of the Africa Cup of Nations.

On the issue of refereeing, the consultant considers that the foul leading to the Moroccan penalty was real, while noting a technical error by the official on a previous Senegalese action where the advantage was not left before consultation of the VAR. However, he rejects the idea of organized favoritism in favor of Morocco, attributing the nervousness of the Senegalese players to emotional pressure and difficult reception conditions upon their arrival at the Rabat train station. Claude Le Roy also qualifies Brahim Diaz’s missed Panenka as a sin of pride on the part of the tournament’s top scorer.

The technician also took the opportunity of this interview to denounce the current orientations of the Confederation of African Football, in particular the transition of the competition to a four-year rhythm. According to him, this decision is an absurdity because the regular organization of the competition is an essential lever for the development of infrastructure, transport and health on the continent. He also deplores the suppression of the African Nations Championship, which allowed local players to improve.

Finally, Claude Le Roy takes a critical look at the global governance of sport and the current political context. He denounces the proximity between the leadership of FIFA and the US administration, while the latter is reducing aid to Africa and restricting the granting of visas for many Africans. Faced with this observation, he suggests that African countries consider boycotting the next World Cup scheduled in the United States, Mexico and Canada to express their disapproval.