Hakimi Rejects AFCON Title, Declares Senegal True Champions
Hakimi revealed that his decision was influenced by advice from his mother, stating that he could not accept a trophy his team did not genuinely earn. He also urged his teammates to take a similar stance.
“I respect the decision, but I’m officially rejecting the trophy. I didn’t win the AFCON,” he said, while congratulating Senegal for what he described as a deserved victory.
The Moroccan star acknowledged that although the Confederation of African Football (CAF) awarded the title to Morocco following a controversial ruling, the reality on the field told a different story.
He emphasized that Senegal had fairly beaten Morocco during the final and warned against actions that could diminish their achievement. According to him, accepting the title under such circumstances would go against the spirit of fair play.
The controversy stems from CAF’s decision to overturn the original result of the 2025 AFCON final, where Senegal had defeated Morocco. The ruling declared Morocco winners after Senegal were judged to have violated regulations during the match.
Hakimi’s stance has drawn widespread attention, with many praising his sportsmanship and commitment to integrity in football.
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