Ivory Coast Coach: 'Moroccan Referee Would Officiate Well, Not Tarnish African Football's Image'

Emerse Faé, head coach of the Ivorian national team, expressed strong confidence in the integrity of the officiating for his team's Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final match against Egypt (scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, at 20:00 GMT+1). He emphasized that his focus remains on delivering a footballing performance befitting the continent's reputation.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Faé stated: "Even if I am told tomorrow that the referee is Egyptian, since I have no way to influence that, we will go and play with the Egyptian referee. And if the referee were Moroccan, I believe that referees have a duty of objectivity, and they will manage this match without any favoritism. This is their duty, especially since the match will be under the scrutiny of the entire world."

He added: "I do not believe that a Moroccan referee would want to project a bad image of African football; quite the opposite. I have no issue with this, and I know things will go well. Furthermore, Moroccans are also our brothers, and despite being neighbors to Egypt, they remain our brothers, and I feel no concern about that."

Faé concluded: "Even if the referee is Moroccan, he will deliver a good match, and both teams will perform well. There will be an enjoyable football spectacle, as has been the custom since the start of the tournament. The only winner in this story will be African football."