Khaberni - Media reports revealed that Moroccan national team player Ismail Al-Sibari took an admirable step despite the sadness he experienced after his country's team lost the African Cup title.
Actu Foot account reported on X that the "Atlas Lions" player insisted on personally going to the Senegalese national team's residence to apologize to goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, following his actions that were described as unusual during the African Nations Cup final.
Al-Sibari had stirred significant controversy during the final match between Morocco and Senegal, after he tried to take the Senegalese goalkeeper's towel in a moment captured by the cameras and elicited mixed reactions, especially since it occurred at a critical time of the match, which ended with Senegal's victory by one goal, thus winning the continental title for the second time in its history.
The behavior exhibited by the Moroccan player was then interpreted as an attempt to disturb or provoke in a charged atmosphere, which sparked criticism, although some voices considered it a spontaneous act resulting from the pressure of the game and its importance.
Nevertheless, Al-Sibari chose to settle the controversy with a direct step, when he headed to the Senegalese team's hotel and personally apologized to Edouard Mendy, admitting that his actions were emotional and occurred in a moment of tension.
The account pointed out that according to sources close to the Senegal delegation, Mendy accepted the apology with high sportsmanship, in a scene that reflected the values of mutual respect among players of African national teams, confirming that what happens on the field should remain within its sporting context, without leaving an impact outside the green rectangle.
