chargement...
Several Moroccan media outlets have in recent hours circulated reports claiming that Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) president Fouzi Lekjaa announced that Morocco would no longer bid to host tournaments organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The reports were based on excerpts from an interview Lekjaa gave to the program Maghareb, broadcast on Al Jazeera 360. His comments were presented as signaling a Moroccan decision to step back from hosting continental competitions, amid the controversy that followed the most recent Africa Cup of Nations final hosted by the kingdom.
However, a review of the full interview shows that Lekjaa never announced such a decision. At no point did the FRMF president state that Morocco would stop bidding for CAF tournaments or withdraw from hosting African competitions.
His remarks came in response to a question about claims made in some African media regarding what has been described as «Moroccan influence» within CAF. In that context, Lekjaa told the interviewer: «I give you authorization: any of the 54 member associations of the Confederation of African Football that wishes to host an event that Morocco would otherwise organize, we will gladly leave it to them and commit to helping them stage it successfully».
He explained that Morocco follows a policy of «an outstretched hand to its African brothers», adding that the kingdom often steps in to host continental events when no other country submits a bid, in order to ensure the continuity of competitions and support the development of African football.
Lekjaa also revealed that Morocco had previously informed CAF of its willingness to host youth tournaments whenever no candidate country could be found. He argued that canceling such competitions would hinder the development of African national teams, as these tournaments serve as an important pathway to World Cup qualification.
As an example, he cited the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, noting that Morocco agreed to host three consecutive editions after no other country came forward to organize the tournament.
Lekjaa's comments echoed remarks made in March by CAF president Patrice Motsepe, who said Morocco is often the only country willing to bid for certain continental competitions that generate limited financial returns. «In competitions such as futsal and the CAF Women's Champions League, Morocco steps forward with full commitment and a sense of responsibility despite the economic challenges associated with hosting these tournaments», Motsepe said.
