Nicolas Pépé Apologizes to Moroccans: "I Apologize for My Statements If Misunderstood or Negatively Received"

Ivorian star Nicolas Pépé has issued a formal apology to Morocco national team fans following the significant uproar caused by his sarcastic remarks regarding Morocco's lack of continental titles. These statements had sparked a widespread wave of criticism, escalating to racist comments.

Pépé had appeared in a video widely circulated on social media platforms, stating: "How many stars does Morocco have? They don't have any stars, maybe they have one they won in 1818, even my father wasn't born yet." These remarks ignited widespread anger just days before the start of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Morocco is set to host.

As the controversy grew, Pépé posted an apology on his personal account, stating verbatim: "Peace be upon you all... I hope you are well. I return today to address the controversy that arose around the video and my statement concerning Morocco. We were joking together all day, exchanging banter about everyone, and there was no intention to offend.

I apologize to you, the fans of Morocco, if my words were misunderstood or negatively received. In the video, specifically before that particular clip, I emphasized the strength of the Moroccan national team and how difficult they would be to face in this edition of the Africa Cup (at 1:26 mark).

We are all brothers on this continent, and the African continent unites us. All support to everyone, and down with racism."

This incident reignites the discussion about the dangers of football fanaticism and hate speech within the African sports arena, at a time when the continent is preparing for its most prominent football event of the year.