Real Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini spoke about his players Sofyan Amrabat and Abdessamad Ezzalzouli winning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title with the Moroccan national team, amidst the controversy that accompanied the tournament's final match.

During the press conference preceding the match against Athletic Bilbao, the Chilean coach confirmed that he had communicated with the players, emphasizing the importance of winning the title. However, he hinted that the manner in which the title was achieved was not ideal, stating that victory remains important, even though the circumstances were not as the players had hoped.

Pellegrini expressed his reservations about the decision, explaining that the issue is complex. He pointed out that no team can withdraw from a match, while at the same time considering that winning a title after losing a match raises questions.

The Real Betis coach presented an interesting perspective, suggesting that the best solution might have been to leave the title without a champion, emphasizing that the issue is difficult and complex, and its picture may become clearer over time.

It is noted that the Confederation of African Football decided to strip the Senegal national team of the championship title and award it to the Moroccan national team, after accepting the appeal submitted and considering the Senegalese team as having lost by a score of three goals to nil, following their withdrawal from the final match.