Tempers flared in a recent game involving the Congolese women’s national team and the Moroccan women’s national team, as a player of the latter, Yasmine Mrabet, was punched in the face by, Ruth Kipoyi, who plays for Congo.
The friendly encounter between DR Congo and Morocco went down on Monday, June 3, 2024, and it was marred by distasteful scenes, with the affair ultimately ending 3-2 in favor of the latter.
The uncomfortable scene ignited in the hour-mark (60th minute) when Congolese women star, Ruth Kipoyi, was dismissed following a horrible tackle on a Moroccan player.
Kipoyi was confronted by several Moroccan players after being shown a red card, and she retaliated unpleasantly.
Defender of the Atlas Lionesses, Zineb Redouani, was one of the many who were incensed by Ruth Kipoyi’s aggressive challenge, resulting in both parties pushing and shoving as the referee hoisted a red card.
Ruth Kipoyi Punches Moroccan Footballer, Yasmine Mrabet In The Face
Morocco and Levante Las Planas star Yasmine Mrabet apparently attempted to dounce the tension by trying to move Kipoyi away but she was met with a sucker punch in the face by the striker, who plies her trade in Turkey, for Galatasaray.
The attacked Moroccan midfielder instantly fell to the turf but got up to her knees when the medical team ran on to offer her medical attention.
Anyway, Ruth Kipoyi is expected to face a lengthy ban for her actions, which has put a bad light on the image of the DR Congo national women’s team.
Yasmine Mrabet Statement On Instagram
Mrabet, who was attacked, has also released a statement regarding the incident on her Instagram account.
Yasmine Mrabet sent her gratitude to “everybody” for their kind messages, while also stating that “violent behavior” in football should be kicked against.
Mrabet said: “First of all, I would like to thank everybody for the kind messages I have been receiving after yesterday’s match.
“This violent behavior should not be accepted. During competition, disagreements can occur, tensions are bound to build up, but there are lines that must never be crossed.”
The 24-year-old added that the responsibility of growing women’s football should not solely be on the shoulders of the players, but also on “officials and all the professionals involved”.
Yasmine Mrabet wrote: “Furthermore, not only players but, officials and all the professionals involved in women’s football need to take responsibility for the development of the game and the safety and well-being of the players.
“This situation should have been calmed down in the early stages of the first game.”
Incident Involving Ruth Kipoyi And Yasmine Mrabet Shouldn’t Overshadow “Exponential” Growth witnessed In Women’s Football – The Footballer Added
The midfielder also shared that the incident should not “overshadow” the massive growth witnessed in women’s football on the African continent in recent years.
She said: “African football has incredible potential and still a great margin for improvement in all areas of the game.
“This incident should not overshadow the exponential growth of our football in the last couple of years. African teams are showing up on the world stage, and for a good reason.
“The appropriate procedures are underway to report the past events and from now on I’m only looking forward.”
Yasmine Mrabet was a member of the Morocco side that made history in the summer of 2023, becoming the first Arab or North African nation to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Atlas Lionesses subsequently made it through to the round of 16 of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup held in New Zealand and Australia.
Morocco edged out second-ranked Germany for a place in the round of 16, before losing 4-0 to France.
Mrabet
Yasmine Mrabet was born on August 8, 1999, in Madrid, Spain to a Moroccan father and an English mother.
Mrabet has represented just three clubs in her career, namely; Madrid CFF, Rayo Vallecano, and currently Levante Las Planas.
Before opting to play for the national women’s team of Morocco, Yasmine Mrabet represented Spain at Under 19 level.
She has made over 100 club career appearances thus far, scoring 9 goals in all competitions.
Internationally, the 24-year-old has made 26 appearances for Morocco, scoring 3 goals across all competitions.
Ruth Kipoyi
Ruth Kipoyi was born in Kinshasa, DR Congo, on October 15, 1997, and she has played for several clubs in her career, including; Simba Queens, ALG Spor, and presently Galatasaray.
Kipoyi has made over 45 club career appearances, scoring 29 goals across all competitions.
