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| Achraf Hakimi reacts during a tense AFCON 2025 moment, later admitting regret over Morocco’s controversial towel incident. |
Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi has expressed disappointment over the controversial “towel incident” that marred the closing stages of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).Read original
Speaking after the tournament, the Paris Saint-Germain defender said he was not proud of how events unfolded, despite Morocco’s strong performance during the competition.
The incident involved Moroccan players and officials repeatedly taking towels from opposing goalkeepers, including Senegal’s Edouard Mendy, during tense moments of the match. The actions drew criticism and became one of the defining moments of the tournament.
Hakimi acknowledged the situation and admitted it reflected poorly on the team.
“I don’t feel proud of the image we showed because of the towel incident,” he said.
He added that the atmosphere inside the stadium was highly charged, which contributed to the actions seen on the pitch.
“They were difficult moments, full of tension,” Hakimi noted, while insisting that the team still respected their opponents and the competition.
The 2025 AFCON final itself was surrounded by wider controversy, including disputes over officiating and post-match decisions that later led to legal challenges.
Despite the backlash, Hakimi maintained that Morocco remained competitive throughout the tournament, but admitted that certain behaviours should not have happened.