Morocco Football President: We’ll No Longer Bid to Host African Competitions

Fouzi Lekjaa, the president of the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), announced that Morocco will no longer submit bids to host African football competitions.

“Starting today, Morocco will no longer submit any bids to host African competitions, regardless of their nature. If other countries wish to organize them, we wish them the best,” Lekjaa told Al Jazeera 360 in a new interview, reported by Morocco World News.

He rejected claims that Morocco has been granted special privileges, saying that the so‑called advantages simply stem from hosting events that other nations are unwilling to organize.

During the interview, Lekjaa also discussed several other matters, including the controversy surrounding the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final against Senegal.

Morocco experienced a series of shocking incidents and a hate campaign in the aftermath of the AFCON final on January 18. The match ended abruptly when Senegal’s players walked off the pitch, an act that led to vandalism and attempts by Senegalese fans to storm the field.

Six months after the most successful CAF tournament in history, Morocco has decided it no longer wishes to host a continental competition.

Addressing the AFCON controversies, Lekjaa answered questions about Senegal’s criticism of security during the tournament. He said that Senegal had not raised any complaints before the final.

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“On the contrary, their federation president even said the stadium was world‑class, and everything was perfect,” Lekjaa said.

He explained that the Senegalese federation had issued a communiqué announcing the team’s arrival in Rabat at a specific time, which prompted fans to gather in support. The federation then alleged a lack of security to protect the team.

Morocco has responded by launching a comprehensive security campaign to strengthen protection around all stadiums and host cities, ensuring the safety of both players and spectators.

Lekjaa emphasized that Morocco’s security measures do not require additional praise, noting that the country already enjoys a strong reputation among international partners for its capabilities.