French football coach Claude Le Roy has publicly retracted his accusations of match-fixing against Morocco, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and FIFA following the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Le Roy, who coached the DR Congo national team, had initially claimed in a February 2026 interview that Morocco's path to the final was facilitated by refereeing decisions.
In a statement released on March 21, 2026, and reported by multiple sports outlets including Afrik-Foot, Le Roy said he wished to "withdraw" his comments. He clarified that his initial remarks were made in the heat of the moment following his team's elimination and did not reflect reality. He offered apologies to the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, CAF, and FIFA.
The coach's original allegations, made to a Congolese media outlet, suggested an "orchestrated plan" for Morocco to win the tournament they hosted. These claims were widely circulated and criticized. Morocco ultimately won the 2025 AFCON, defeating Senegal in the final.
No official sporting body has levied any formal charges of match-fixing related to the 2025 tournament. Le Roy's retraction appears to close this particular controversy, though it highlights the intense emotions surrounding major football competitions.
.png)
