AS FAR player Tó Carneiro has sought to calm tensions after photographs of him wearing a Wydad Casablanca jersey prompted criticism from supporters of the Moroccan club.
The player issued a public explanation on Instagram, insisting the incident was the result of a routine post-match shirt exchange between footballers and was never intended as a sign of disrespect towards AS FAR.
The controversy emerged after images circulated showing Carneiro wearing the colours of Wydad Casablanca, one of AS FAR’s biggest domestic rivals. The photographs quickly attracted strong reactions from sections of the Military Club’s supporters, who questioned the player’s decision.
In response, Carneiro addressed the issue directly, stressing that football rivalries should remain confined to the pitch.
“Dear fans, football rivalries stay on the pitch. Once the game is over, we are all brothers. That is why players exchange jerseys,” he wrote.
The player explained that exchanging shirts with opponents has long been part of football culture and should not be interpreted as a lack of commitment to his own club.
“I did not wear that jersey to disrespect our club. Swapping jerseys is a perfectly normal practice, and I see no issue with wearing one when I am not on the pitch,” he added.
Carneiro also used the statement to reaffirm his loyalty to AS FAR, making it clear that he values both the club and its supporters.
According to the player, his actions were never intended to offend the fans or diminish the importance of the club he represents.
The explanation comes after supporters reacted to the photographs, highlighting the intense rivalry that exists between AS FAR and Wydad Casablanca, two of Morocco’s most prominent football clubs.
Across African football, exchanging jerseys after matches is a common tradition and is widely viewed as a gesture of mutual respect between players, regardless of the rivalry between their teams.
However, such moments can occasionally provoke debate among supporters, particularly when they involve clubs with long-standing competitive rivalries.
In Carneiro’s case, the reaction demonstrated the passion of AS FAR’s fanbase and the significance attached to matches involving Wydad Casablanca.
The player’s statement sought to remind supporters that relationships between footballers often differ from the fierce competition witnessed during matches.
While rivalries remain central to the spectacle of football, Carneiro argued that respect between professionals continues once the final whistle has been blown.
His message also underlined his appreciation for AS FAR supporters, assuring them that his commitment to the club remains unchanged despite the controversy.
