The royal army rejects the ruling of the "African Cup final" in the first leg of the Champions League title.

The Royal Army Club of Morocco has officially lodged a protest with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) regarding the officiating crew assigned to manage the first leg of the African Champions League final against South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns, scheduled for May 17.

The Royal Army's objection primarily focuses on the assignment of Congolese referee Jean Jacques Ndala, as the club clarified in its official complaint that this choice raises legitimate concerns, given the officiating controversy that accompanied Ndala's performance in the recent Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal, and the impactful decisions that resulted.

The club's management also questioned the criteria for appointing him to such a significant continental final, especially since he was not included in the list of referees for the 2026 World Cup.

The Royal Army expressed its astonishment at the disparity in the selection process for referees, as a crew of referees from a single nationality was appointed for the first leg, while a mixed crew was assigned for the second leg, considering that this undermines the principle of balance and neutrality that should be upheld.

The Royal Army emphasized that it is not targeting specific individuals, but rather aims to ensure equal opportunities and integrity in this crucial match.

The Moroccan club called on CAF to take immediate action to avoid any ambiguity that could affect the course of the final, affirming its confidence in the continental institutions to protect the credibility of the competition, while fully asserting its right to defend its interests and ensure fair competitive conditions.