Morocco coach Walid Regragui has poured chilly water on conspiracy theorists who recommend referees have been favouring the house group on the Africa Cup of Nations.
Some broadcast pundits and supporters on-line have bemoaned a perceived leniency in direction of Morocco from the match officers. Regragui dismissed the claims out of hand.
“It’s at all times a disgrace to go down this path,” he advised a press convention on Tuesday as Morocco ready to tackle Nigeria of their semi-final in Rabat on Wednesday.
“They need to make individuals imagine that matches are at all times gained this manner. Let’s not child ourselves, it’s at all times been the case on the African continent to sow doubts and controversies.
“You journalists have to do your job,” he added.
“A penalty may be given a method in a single match and never in one other. A handball known as in a single match and never in one other. I watch a whole lot of matches as a result of we now have many gamers in Europe, and the controversies are the identical all over the place, in Africa or in Europe.”
Regragui stated he believed referees on the match had been searching for to do their finest, but additionally gave instance of incidents in matches the place he felt the whistle didn’t favour Morocco.
He cited two incidents from their spectacular 2-0 win over Cameroon of their quarter-final on Friday as an example his argument.
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“Considered one of their defenders places his foot on Abde (Ezzalzouli)’s ankle, and if VAR evaluations the play, it’s a penalty,” he stated.
“The goalkeeper comes out to problem (Ismael) Saibari and places each arms in his head, that’s a penalty. However neither had been given.”
Regragui stated he had advised his gamers to disregard any refereeing controversy.
“The one option to win is on the pitch, by profitable our matches. You’ve by no means heard me discuss in regards to the refereeing after a match,” he stated.
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“We take accountability, we transfer ahead, and we work onerous. That’s the aim. We have to assist the referees, the gamers, and cease at all times feeling like we’re being wronged.
“We hope the referee can be honest to each groups tomorrow, as he has been for the reason that begin of the competitors,” the coach added.