AFCON 2025: 'We win our matches on the field' – Morocco coach Regragui defends 'controversial' officiating in Cameroon win

Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has issued a firm defence of his team's integrity, forcefully rejecting suggestions that favourable refereeing decisions have aided their run to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 semi-finals.

The statement came in the wake of their 2-0 quarter-final victory over Cameroon, a match marred by contentious officiating.

The controversy centred on a second-half incident where Cameroon forward Bryan Mbeumo went down under challenge in the Moroccan penalty area, with referee Dahane Beida waving away appeals.

The Mauritanian official had been a late appointment to the match after Morocco protested the original selection of Egypt's Amin Mohamed Omar.

In a fiery post-match press conference, Regragui directly confronted the growing narrative surrounding his team's success. "Cameroon didn't score, and the referee denied it. People want to make it seem like we're favoured by the referees," he stated. "We win our matches on the field."

The victory, sealed by a fifth tournament goal from Brahim Diaz, sees the host nation advance to a semi-final showdown against Nigeria, who defeated Algeria 2-0.

As the pressure mounts on home soil, Regragui's comments are a clear attempt to shift the focus back to his team's on-pitch achievements and away from any perceived external advantages as they continue their quest for continental glory.