Youssef Al-Muti has delivered a fierce criticism of both USM Alger and the Confederation of African Football following Olympique Safi’s elimination from the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Speaking after his side’s exit, the goalkeeper alleged that events surrounding the two-legged tie went beyond normal sporting competition, claiming his team faced deliberate attempts to disrupt their performance both on and off the pitch.
Al-Muti insisted that disturbances ahead of the second-leg encounter at the Al-Massira Stadium were intentional rather than incidental.
“The riots that preceded the start of the second leg match were not spontaneous, but rather a premeditated and deliberate plan to disrupt the players’ focus and distract them.”
He suggested that such incidents had a direct impact on the team’s mental preparation, drawing comparisons with previous high-pressure continental fixtures.
“These transgressions and the charged atmosphere are very similar to what happened in the Africa Cup of Nations against Senegal, and this is detrimental to the spirit of sportsmanship and fair competition, and what happened was directly aimed at the team’s mental stability before the final whistle.”
The goalkeeper also described difficulties encountered during the team’s trip for the first leg in Algeria. According to Al-Muti, the delegation experienced significant delays upon arrival.
“The team’s delegation suffered from systematic harassment and unjustified detention inside the airport for a long period.”
He further alleged that restrictions were imposed on the Moroccan contingent during their stay, limiting their ability to move freely.
“Members of the Moroccan delegation were strangely prevented from moving around and leaving the residence.”
These experiences prompted a call for intervention from national authorities.
“Moroccan football officials must take these transgressions and provocations into consideration.”
Al-Muti extended his criticism to what he perceived as a broader imbalance in how visiting teams are treated, contrasting it with the hospitality offered by Moroccan clubs.
“We cannot continue with this excessive tolerance towards rival clubs under any circumstances, and it is never reasonable to welcome those who attack us in their country with kisses, cups of tea, and providing all the necessary conditions.”
Beyond the logistical and security concerns, the goalkeeper also questioned the regulatory framework governing African club competitions. He argued that existing rules had played a decisive role in his team’s elimination.
“The current regulatory laws in place in African club competitions are the direct reason for my team’s elimination despite not suffering any defeat in either match. Africa is still years behind Europe.”
Al-Muti concluded by urging CAF to introduce reforms, particularly targeting the away goals rule.
“The African Union must intervene to amend its regulations urgently to do justice to the clubs, and I demand the cancellation of the away goal rule because it is unfair and does not reflect technical superiority.”
Calls for reform after contentious exit
The aftermath of Olympique Safi’s semi-final defeat has shifted attention from results on the pitch to governance and conditions surrounding African club competitions. Al-Muti’s remarks highlight growing frustration over organisational standards and competitive fairness, with renewed pressure now on CAF to respond to concerns raised by clubs across the continent.
