Morocco’s Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports, Mohamed Saad Berrada, has firmly denied making remarks circulating on social media that suggest Morocco does not identify with Africa or require the continent’s support.
In an official statement, the Minister described the widely shared comments attributed to him as “entirely false and unfounded,” stressing that he had never made such remarks to any media organisation.
The denial comes after several media outlets and social media platforms circulated claims alleging that Mr. Berrada had said Morocco “does not represent Africa,” that the country’s national football team represents “only Morocco and not Africa,” and that Morocco “does not need Africa’s support.”
According to the Minister, the statements are fabricated and do not reflect either his personal views or the official position of the Kingdom of Morocco.
He reaffirmed Morocco’s strong connection to the African continent, stating that the country is proud of its African identity and remains committed to strengthening its ties with other African nations.
The statement added that the historical, cultural and human relationships between Morocco and the rest of Africa remain a key pillar of the country’s foreign policy under the leadership of King Mohammed VI.
The clarification comes at a time when Morocco continues to play an increasingly significant role in African football.
The country successfully hosted the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and is also preparing to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.
In recent years, Morocco has invested heavily in football infrastructure and has strengthened sporting cooperation with several African countries.
The Minister urged journalists, media organisations and social media users to verify information before publishing or sharing it to help prevent the spread of misinformation.
He also warned that legal action could be taken against individuals or organisations responsible for publishing or falsely attributing fabricated statements to him.
