Senegalese international footballer Krépin Diatta has publicly apologized and pledged to return his Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) bronze medal to the Moroccan Football Federation. The move follows a controversy sparked by his comments after Senegal's semi-final defeat to the host nation in the 2025 tournament.
Diatta, who plays for AS Monaco, had made critical remarks about the refereeing and organization after the match, suggesting the host country had received favorable treatment. These statements drew significant criticism from Moroccan officials and fans.
In a statement released on social media, Diatta expressed regret for his words, stating his intention was never to disrespect Morocco or its people. "I am committed to gathering the medals and returning them to Morocco," he said, referring to the bronze medals awarded to the Senegalese team.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) had previously fined Diatta an undisclosed amount for his post-match comments. The player's apology and gesture aim to ease diplomatic tensions that arose from the incident.
