Moroccan Football Federation files complaint over officiating of semi-final match against France
The Moroccan Football Federation (RMFA) filed an official protest with FIFA on December 15, 2022, against the refereeing of Morocco’s semi-final match against France at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which resulted in two clear goals being conceded.
The Royal Moroccan Football Association, according to a statement from the Federation, expressed strong disapproval of the match between the Moroccan team and the French national team, which was officiated by Mexican Cesar Arturo Ramos Palazuelos.
Morocco’s goalkeeper Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti comforts midfielder Azzedine Ounahi at the end of the Qatar 2022 World Cup semi-final match between France and Morocco at the Al-Bayt Stadium on December 14, 2022. (Photo by Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP)
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The Federation sent a letter to the FIFA competent body containing the officiating mistakes that resulted in depriving the Moroccan national team of two clear penalties confirmed by the testimony of the refereeing specialists, at the same time, expressed its great astonishment that the VAR room also did not react to alert to these refereeing situations, during the match.
The statement indicated that the Moroccan federation affirms that it will not spare any effort to defend and preserve the rights of the national team, demanding fairness in taking the necessary action on the officiating injustice.
Morocco’s Sofiane Boufal in action with France’s Aurelien Tchouameni during the Qatar 2022 World Cup semi-final match between France and Morocco at the Al-Bayt Stadium on December 14, 2022. (REUTERS/Lee Smith)
Moroccan Federation officials are protesting against the obstruction of striker Sofiane Boufal inside the box by the defender Theo Hernadez, and instead of awarding Morocco a penalty, a yellow card was awarded to the French striker. The second case concerned Aurelien Tchouameni catching midfielder Salim Amalah inside the area, following a corner kick.
