Betis manager suggests leaving trophy unawarded following disputed final
Manuel Pellegrini has questioned the decision to award the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title to Morocco, suggesting the trophy might have been better left unclaimed following a contentious final.
Speaking ahead of Real Betis’s La Liga fixture against Athletic Bilbao, the experienced coach addressed the ongoing debate surrounding the Confederation of African Football’s ruling.
The controversy arose after Confederation of African Football stripped Senegal of the title and awarded it to Morocco. The decision followed an appeal by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, with Senegal deemed to have forfeited the final 3-0 after withdrawing from the match.
Players’ perspective acknowledged
Pellegrini revealed that he had discussed the issue with Moroccan internationals Sofyan Amrabat and Abde Ezzalzouli, both of whom were part of the squad awarded the title.
Reflecting on their situation, he said: “I spoke with Amrabat and Zalzouli, and of course, winning the title is always important, although I don’t think it will be in the way they wanted to achieve it.”
His comments suggest an understanding of the players’ mixed emotions, balancing the significance of winning a major continental trophy with the unusual circumstances under which it was secured.
“A very complicated matter”
The Betis manager expressed uncertainty over the legitimacy of the decision, highlighting the complexity of the situation.
“I don’t know if this measure is justified. It’s a very complicated matter. No team should withdraw whenever it wants, but you also can’t be crowned champion after losing a match.”
Pellegrini’s remarks underline the competing principles at play—disciplinary enforcement on one hand and sporting merit on the other.
Suggestion to leave title vacant
In a notable intervention, Pellegrini proposed an alternative outcome that, in his view, might have avoided the current controversy.
“Perhaps it would have been better to leave the title vacant. It’s not a settled matter, and it’s difficult to make decisions about it. We’ll see what happens over time.”
This suggestion reflects broader concerns about how such disputes are handled and the potential implications for the credibility of competitions.
Previous criticism of Senegal’s actions
The Chilean coach had earlier criticised Senegal’s response during the disputed final, particularly their decision to withdraw from the match. He described the action as “unsuitable for this sport”, reinforcing his stance that teams must adhere to established rules and responsibilities.
Debate set to continue
Pellegrini’s comments add to the growing discussion surrounding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, a case that has divided opinion across the football community.
While Morocco have officially been declared champions, questions remain over the circumstances of their victory and the precedent set by the decision. As governing bodies and stakeholders reflect on the outcome, the debate is likely to persist, with calls for clearer frameworks to handle similar disputes in the future.
