Rabat – French coach Hervé Renard, former Morocco manager and now in charge of Saudi Arabia, has revisited the debate over the “towel incident” in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal.
Speaking recently in an interview with Jeune Afrique, Renard said the matter is not easy to explain but carries symbolic meaning in African football culture.
“The towel story is long and complicated. It has a certain significance, that’s all,” he noted, adding that if someone tried to remove it, the aim might have been to unsettle the opponent.
“In Europe, people don’t understand that there is something behind it. Was the towel charmed? In Africa, these are beliefs, and everyone is free to believe what they want.”
Renard stressed that outsiders often fail to grasp this cultural dimension. “Those who don’t know Africa cannot understand. In this case, Moroccans would never allow anyone to cross that line,” he explained.
He admitted he was not sure if the incident truly happened, but recalled experiencing similar atmospheres during his years coaching across the continent.
Context of the Incident
The controversy erupted during the AFCON 2025 final in Rabat, where Senegal beat Morocco 1-0. Confusion centered on Edouard Mendy’s towel, placed inside his goal to wipe his gloves in wet conditions.
In the closing minutes, ball boys, security staff, and players crowded the penalty area as backup keeper Yehvann Diouf tried to protect the towel, eventually falling in the process. Diouf later defended himself, saying he was only helping Mendy and had no intention of disrupting play.
Television footage described the episode as a “towel tussle.” Images showed Moroccan midfielder Ismael Saibari blocking Diouf as he attempted to hand the towel back to Mendy, while a ball boy also reached for it.
CAF’s disciplinary committee later sanctioned Saibari with a two‑match suspension and a $100,000 fine. The Moroccan midfielder has meanwhile apologized to Mendy, insisting his actions had been misunderstood.
Footage and reports of Moroccan players attempting to remove the towel from the Senegalese keeper sparked outrage. Some viewed it as an attempt to unsettle Mendy, while others linked it to superstition.
CAF’s refereeing chief, Olivier Safari, later addressed the issue in an interview with Canal+ Afrique. “The towel is not part of a goalkeeper’s official equipment. Its use must remain within the spirit of fair play,” he explained. “If it influences the match, it must be removed from the playing area.”
Read also: Renard: Morocco Now Among World’s Elite, I’m Proud of My Contribution
