Moroccan and Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi has expressed regret over a controversial protest made by the Moroccan national team during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Following Morocco's quarter-final elimination by South Africa, players held up white towels on the pitch, a gesture widely interpreted as a sign of surrender and protest against the match officials.
In a recent interview, Hakimi stated, "I am not proud of the image we projected with the towels." He acknowledged that the emotional reaction in the heat of the moment was not appropriate. The protest was sparked by contentious refereeing decisions during the match, which ended 2-0 in favor of South Africa.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) filed an official complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after the match, citing "flagrant refereeing errors." CAF has opened an investigation into the incidents surrounding the game.
The towel protest drew significant criticism from fans and pundits across the continent, who argued it tarnished the spirit of the competition. Hakimi's comments reflect a desire to move past the incident and focus on future challenges with the national team.
