Veteran French coach Claude Le Roy has publicly criticized the Confederation of African Football (CAF), alleging "magouilles" (dirty tricks or foul play) following Morocco's victory in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). In interviews with French and African media in early 2026, Le Roy, who has managed several African national teams, claimed the tournament's organization favored the host nation.
Le Roy specifically pointed to refereeing decisions and the match schedule as evidence of preferential treatment for Morocco. He suggested that CAF's leadership, under President Patrice Motsepe, created conditions that made it "almost impossible" for other teams to compete fairly for the title. The coach did not provide specific, verifiable instances of match-fixing but framed his criticism around perceived systemic bias.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has not issued a direct public response to Le Roy's latest comments. CAF has consistently denied any allegations of impropriety in the organization of the 2025 tournament, which Morocco won on home soil. The governing body maintains that all procedures were followed correctly and the competition was a sporting success.
This is not the first time Le Roy has voiced strong opinions on African football governance. His latest remarks have reignited debates about transparency and equity in CAF's administration of major tournaments, though no formal investigation has been announced.
