Pellegrini on Morocco's AFCON Title: "It's a Complex Issue, Perhaps Better to Leave the Title Vacant"

Real Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini discussed his players Sofyan Amrabat and Abde Ezzalzouli winning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title with the Moroccan national team, expressing his opinion on the controversy surrounding the tournament's final.

Speaking at the press conference ahead of the match against Athletic Bilbao, Pellegrini said: "I spoke with Amrabat and Ezzalzouli, and of course, winning a title is always important, although I don't think it was in the way they would have wanted to achieve it."

The Betis coach added: "I don't know if this procedure is justified; it's a very complicated matter. No team should withdraw whenever they want, but you also cannot be crowned champion after losing a match."

He continued: "Perhaps it would have been better to leave the title vacant. It's not a clear-cut issue, and it's difficult to make decisions about it; we'll see what happens over time."

It is worth noting that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) had decided to withdraw the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title from Senegal and award it to Morocco, after accepting the appeal from the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, and considering the "Lions of Teranga" defeated (3-0) following their withdrawal from the final match.