The Mauritanian Football Federation (FFRIM) responded in a press release published on its official Facebook account on Tuesday to allegations in the Algerian media that it had received funds from Morocco to finance the Mauritanian national team’s training camp in Tunisia and its accommodation, flights and the supply of various logistics, including sports equipment in Côte d’Ivoire.
Breaking its silence, FFRIM stated, “It is clear to the Mauritanian government and FFRIM that the question of financing national teams is a sovereign matter that is not open to discussion.”
The criticism that erupted against Mauritania was followed by a media attack on the Mauritanian coach, Amir Abdou, following the Round of 16 match between Algeria and Mauritania. The coach was also the target of verbal attacks in several Algerian outlets, seemingly as part of a smear campaign.
Abdou expressed his deep regret for Algerian journalists who, he said, are trying to “defame the Mauritanian team and twist the coach’s words.”