French analyst: The “sufficient” decision is fair and late

The decision of the Confederation of African Football to award the title of the African Cup of Nations “Morocco 2025” to the Moroccan national team sparked widespread controversy in European media circles, especially in France, where French journalist Daniel Riolo criticized the way the file was handled.

Riolo confirmed, during his intervention on “RMC Sport” radio, that the decision in itself seems logical from a legal standpoint, but its late timing raises more than one question mark.

The spokesman explained that the laws were supposed to be implemented immediately after the end of the final match, to avoid creating a precedent in such cases, adding that delaying the resolution harms the image of African competitions and weakens their credibility.

Riolo pointed out, “It is difficult to confirm that the Senegalese players leaving the field did not affect the course of the match or the penalty kick taker,” considering that this fact supports the legitimacy of the decision in principle.

On the other hand, the French journalist stressed that the Moroccan national team remains in the “right position,” and has the full right to benefit from the decision issued by the Appeals Committee, despite the great controversy that accompanied the file.

Riolo concluded his statement by emphasizing that implementing the law is normal, but the way this file was managed, and the delay in issuing the decision, made the case seem “strange and close to madness,” in reference to the widespread controversy that accompanied one of the most prominent African football cases in the recent period.