DR ‹ › Upon returning to PSV Eindhoven after Morocco's loss in the 2025 AFCON final against Senegal, Ismael Saibari took a moment to address the incident that overshadowed the match: the controversy involving Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy's towels. The Atlas Lions midfielder reiterated his apologies, acknowledging that he had underestimated the repercussions of his actions. Nearly a week after the high-stakes final, which ended in palpable tension, international players have rejoined their respective clubs. Saibari, still reeling from the defeat, spoke about one of the most talked-about moments of the game: when he, along with some teammates and ball boys, threw Mendy's towel into the stands. Ismael Saibari reflects on the 'towel incident' during the Africa Cup final ?? "I have never experienced so many emotions" ? pic.twitter.com/G8qau8oQbe — ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) January 23, 2026 In an interview following his return to the Netherlands, Saibari explained that the situation escalated due to heightened emotions. «It was a mistake. I am aware of it, and that is why I apologized», he told ESPN NL. Saibari admitted he grasped the seriousness of the incident only after arriving home. «I realized how poorly it had been received. I immediately reached out to someone from Senegal to apologize, and I also expressed my apologies to Edouard Mendy at the airport», he said, adding that «the issue is now resolved». Hoping to leave the incident behind, the Moroccan midfielder urges everyone to move on, even as the controversy continues to spark discussions around the 2025 AFCON final.
