‘Soccer is often cruel’ – Morocco on ‘heartbreaking’ AFCON loss
Video credit: SNTV
The match went to extra-time and Senegal’s Pape Gueye scored the winning goal in the 94th minute.
It meant scathing criticism for a visibly distraught Diaz, who later took to social media.
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Mane says abandonment would have been ‘shame and sad’ for African football
Video credit: SNTV
“I fought with everything I had, with my heart above all else. Yesterday I failed and I take full responsibility. I apologise from the bottom of my heart.
“It will be hard for me to recover, because this wound doesn’t heal easily, but I will try. Not for myself, but for everyone who believed in me and for everyone who suffered with me.
“I will keep going forward until one day I can give you all this love back and become a source of pride for my Moroccan people.”
Morocco manager Walid Regragui defended Diaz after the match, pointing to the long delay as an explanation for the penalty miss.
“He had a lot of time before taking the penalty which must have disturbed him,” Regragui said.
“But we can’t change what happened. That is how he chose to take the penalty. We need to look forwards now.”
Meanwhile, Morocco’s football federation announced it will pursue legal action over Senegal’s walk-off.
“This situation had a significant impact on the normal course of the match and on the players’ performance.”
FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino, also weighed in on the controversy.
“We strongly condemn the behaviour of some ‘supporters’ as well as some Senegalese players and technical staff members,” he said.
“It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner, and equally, violence cannot be tolerated in our sport, it is simply not right. We must always respect the decisions taken by the match officials.”
