Renowned philanthropist and justice advocate, Roseson Obasi popularly known as Donko, has petitioned global football authorities to investigate the use of laser pointers by Moroccan fans during the final match of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), which saw Nigeria’s Super Falcons stage a remarkable 3-2 comeback to defeat the host nation.
In an open letter addressed to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Obasi described the actions as a serious breach of fair play, potentially endangering the health and safety of Nigerian players.
Obasi, writing in his capacity as a “global citizen, philanthropist, and advocate for fairness and justice”, noted that the targeted use of laser pointers was visible to millions of spectators both in the stadium and through global broadcasts.
“This is not merely unsportsmanlike, it is dangerous,” the letter read. “The use of laser pointers directed at the eyes can cause temporary blindness, lasting damage, or even permanent vision loss. It constitutes a blatant act of cheating and intimidation, undermining the spirit of fair competition.”
Calling for immediate action, Obasi urged CAF to open a full and transparent investigation, and called on FIFA to assess security lapses and introduce stricter sanctions to deter similar occurrences in the future. He also demanded appropriate disciplinary measures against those found culpable, including an official apology from the Moroccan Football Federation if evidence confirms wrongdoing.
Obasi’s letter also pressed for tighter matchday security protocols to protect athletes and preserve the integrity of international football competitions.
“The world was watching. Let us not allow this to pass in silence,” he concluded, urging football’s governing bodies to uphold the principles of justice, fairness, and honour in the beautiful game.
The Super Falcons’ historic victory, their 10th WAFCON title, was widely celebrated across Nigeria, but the laser pointer controversy has cast a shadow over what was otherwise a thrilling final in Rabat.
Comments here are solely the responsibility of the commenters