18/03/2026
Cairo: CAF Decides. And in Paris: French Outcry Does Not Change the Truth.
Amidst the controversy following the decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), certain voices in the French sports arena, including former coach Claude Le Roy, have described the ruling as "absurd." However, amidst the noise and emotion, one undeniable truth remains: laws are established to be respected, not to be debated according to whims.
Indeed, the decision came after weeks, and perhaps the delay was prolonged, but this does not invalidate the essence of the ruling. The Moroccan national team merely followed the legal process, step by step, without fanfare or exaggeration. Conversely, any error—no matter how minor it may seem—can lead to severe penalties when official regulations are involved.
What is peculiar about this debate is not the decision itself, but rather the attempt by some to diminish its value or question it simply because it does not align with their desires. Football today is no longer just 90 minutes on the pitch; it is an integrated legal system, and those who fail to respect it pay the price.
As for the Senegalese national team, they have every right, if they perceive injustice in the decision, to resort to legal procedures, starting with an appeal and extending to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which is the only body authorized to review such cases.
But until that happens, the truth remains clear and simple:
Morocco prevailed because it respected the law…
And those who attack the decision should first read it carefully.
Morocco never sought to overturn results or pursue a gratuitous victory outside the spirit of competition. Instead, it merely adhered to its legitimate right to apply the legal procedure as stipulated by CAF regulations. These are the same procedures that the French media firmly demand when it concerns clubs like Olympique Marseille and Olympique Lyon, in defense of integrity and respect for laws.
However, a stark paradox emerges when it comes to Africa, where principles transform into double standards, and the law is expected to be applied in Europe but ignored on the African continent. Morocco has simply demanded what is considered self-evident everywhere: sports justice is indivisible, and those who demand it there must accept it here.
Ultimately, voices may rise, and criticisms may intensify, but one thing remains unchanged:
The law is not defeated… and those who respect it, prevail.
