Tarik Taib: Morocco Targeted by a Conspiracy? The Real Story Behind the 'Kolsa' Claims

Morocco under fire: Taib pushes back against alleged media conspiracy

Legendary Libyan midfielder Tarik Taib defended Morocco amid what he called a wave of "media criticism" during the Africa Cup of Nations, insisting the onslaught was exaggerated and not backed by facts or clear evidence.

In remarks carried by the Moroccan outlet, Taib emphasized that talk of a "fix" or referee favoritism toward Morocco is not accurate, noting that if such things truly existed, Morocco would have won a string of continental titles in recent years.

The former Libyan star said linking some teams' eliminations to poor organization or refereeing errors is "illogical," pointing out that a loss on home soil relates to on-pitch performance rather than the quality of lodging or event organization.

The Taib praised Morocco's organization of the Cup of Nations, deeming it among the best in recent editions in terms of infrastructure and stadium quality, and noted that many participating teams expressed satisfaction with the hosting standards.

He argued that a large portion of the criticism against Morocco stems from "the successes achieved in recent years, as well as its readiness to host the 2030 World Cup in partnership with Spain and Portugal," which he said made it a target for unjust defamation conspiracies.

Taib concluded by urging the Royal Moroccan Football Federation to maintain a stronger anti-defamation media line, to counter rumors and clearly explain facts to the public, rather than letting interpretations and accusations fill the space.

The Moroccan team finished runners-up after losing the final last month to Senegal by a single goal in a controversial match.

The tournament also featured numerous media spats, including a notable clash between Moroccan press and Egypt coach Hossam Hassan, who finished fourth in the event.

And as the dust settles, remember: conspiracies sound louder when your defense is quiet.

Also, if you’re going to fix a game, at least fix the snack budget first—because those mince pies aren’t going to win a title on their own.