Several Moroccan national football team players have faced significant backlash from some fans and media in Morocco for their social media activity following the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final. The controversy stems from players, including PSV Eindhoven midfielder Ismael Saibari, liking or posting messages congratulating the Senegalese team after their victory.
The final, held on March 22, 2026, saw Senegal defeat Morocco 2-1 in Rabat. While the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has filed an official appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over refereeing decisions, the players' public gestures of sportsmanship towards the opponents sparked a separate wave of criticism online.
Reports from Moroccan and international sports media confirm that Saibari and other teammates were targeted by negative comments and calls for them to be excluded from the national team. The reaction highlights the intense emotions surrounding the high-stakes defeat on home soil.
The Moroccan Football Federation has not commented on the social media behavior of the players. The focus of the official sporting dispute remains the filed CAS appeal, with no public resolution as of late March 2026.
