Mauritania denies Moroccan funding allegations ahead of Algeria showdown

The Mauritanian Football Federation (FFRIM) has vigorously denied allegations made by the Algerian press suggesting Morocco financed the El Mourabitoune team's preparations for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) in Tunisia and Ivory Coast.

Calling the claims «baseless rumors», the FFRIM issued a press release stating, «National team financing remains a sovereign matter beyond the scope of discussion». The statement also urged the Algerian press to «exercise caution in the face of this false information, which only aims to destabilize the national team ahead of a critical match».

The Mourabitoune face Algeria's Fennecs in a decisive clash on Tuesday. A victory or draw secures Algeria's passage to the CAN knockout stage, while Mauritania, having lost their first two matches, will be playing for pride.