AFCON 2025: Referee Daniel Laryea Breaks Silence on Morocco vs Nigeria Controversy

AFCON 2025: Referee Daniel Laryea Breaks Silence on Morocco vs Nigeria Controversy

Ghanaian referee Daniel Laryea has rejected allegations of biased officiating following the tense AFCON 2025 semi-final clash between Morocco and Nigeria, insisting that his decisions during the encounter were fair and strictly in line with the laws of the game.

The highly charged match, played in Rabat, ended goalless after extra time before Morocco defeated Nigeria 4–2 on penalties to book a place in the AFCON final. However, the result sparked widespread debate, particularly among Nigerian fans and pundits, who questioned several officiating calls made during the game.

Speaking after the controversy, Laryea dismissed claims that he favoured the host nation, stressing that referees at that level operate under intense scrutiny and are trained to remain neutral regardless of venue or opposition.

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“I focused on officiating the match according to the rules. I don’t pay attention to social media reactions,” Laryea said, describing the semi-final appointment as a major milestone in his refereeing career.

One of the major flashpoints from the game was the booking of Calvin Bassey, which ruled the Nigerian defender out of the Super Eagles’ next match. The decision fueled criticism online, with some supporters pointing to the long-standing football rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana as a factor behind the backlash.

In contrast, football stakeholders in Ghana and parts of North Africa have rallied behind Laryea, arguing that his decisions were consistent with CAF officiating standards. Morocco’s head coach, Walid Regragui, also played down suggestions of referee bias, warning that such narratives distract from the quality and competitiveness of the tournament.

The incident adds to growing conversations around officiating standards at AFCON 2025, with several matches at the tournament drawing scrutiny over refereeing decisions despite the use of VAR.

As Morocco prepare for the AFCON final and Nigeria shift focus to the third-place playoff, the debate over refereeing appointments and transparency continues to dominate discussions across African football.

AFCON 2025: Referee Daniel Laryea Breaks Silence on Morocco vs Nigeria Controversy