Algerian and international sports journalists have reached a consensus that the 35th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), hosted by Morocco, stands as the worst edition in the history of the continental competition. This assessment stems from significant organizational failures and serious irregularities, marked by unprecedented signs of “decay and corruption” that have tarnished the tournament’s reputation.
Observers noted that poor logistics and substandard officiating, characterized by major errors, adversely impacted the performance of several teams, including Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, and Senegal.
Notably, Senegal reached the final but ultimately lost to the host nation, despite what critics described as “behind-the-scenes efforts to ensure the trophy remained in Morocco.” Youssef Tazir, President of the National Organization of Sports Journalists, stated that the edition was plagued by “serious technical and organizational issues that undermined the entire tournament.” He emphasized that officiating was the most critical failure, alleging a “clear and obvious bias in favor of the host nation from the very beginning.”
Tazir also raised concerns regarding the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) refereeing committee. He pointed to delays in announcing match officials from the quarter-finals onward and the occasional swapping of referees based on “personal preferences,” actions that he claims cast significant doubt on the tournament’s fairness and credibility.
“These facts demonstrate that refereeing has become corrupt,” Tazir remarked, noting that grievances were aired not only by the affected teams but also by independent analysts and international journalists concerned for the sport’s integrity.
In the wake of the tournament, several African media outlets have called upon continental sports authorities to take decisive action against the “architects of corruption” responsible for the fiasco, specifically targeting influential figures who steered decision-making throughout the event.
