Following yesterday's scuffles at the conclusion of the DR Congo vs. Morocco Afcon match, both sides have offered their perspectives on the incident. While Congolese captain Chancel Mbemba alluded to racism and shared cryptic video promises, Morocco coach Walid Regragui provided a detailed account of the events. In an interview with L'Equipe, Regragui refuted Mbemba's claims, stating: «I never said anything racist. He's misconstruing my words and insinuating things that simply didn't happen». He further elaborated on the alleged instigation: «Before the match ended, Mbemba verbally attacked me and my assistant on the sidelines. He was speaking disrespectfully, and coach Desabre witnessed it. Despite that, I attempted to shake his hand afterwards, but he refused and started shouting». Regragui emphasized his disappointment with Mbemba's behavior: «He claims to champion religion and justice, yet he's being dishonest with himself. The way he's twisting my words is disingenuous». Mbemba, in his press statements, avoided specifics about the altercation and instead invoked divine intervention, stressing respect for all teams. He did, however, mention having videos of the incident, fueling speculation about potential unseen footage. Congolese coach Sébastien Desabre attributed the tension to the high-pressure nature of the match, suggesting it contributed to the heated exchange. Notably, Morocco captain Romain Saiss took to social media, urging both teams to prioritize sportsmanship and uphold a positive image for the continent during the Afcon tournament.
