The FIFA Arab Cup final between Morocco and Jordan on Thursday featured a series of dramatic moments, including an incident where some suggested that a number of Jordanian players refused to shake hands with their opponents.
Morocco won the match 3-2, in a dramatic final that ended the Jordanian men's team's dreams of winning their first FIFA-accredited trophy.
During their medal ceremony, the Atlas Lions players formed a guard of honour to celebrate the Jordanian squad – a common gesture in such ceremonies.
The act was personally suggested by Morocco coach Tarik Sektioui, according to reports.
Two Jordanian players, specifically defenders Hussam Abu Dahab and Salem Obeid, appeared to not notice Sektioui, walking past him as they stretched their hands out to them, live coverage suggested.
But other clips from the ceremony circulated showed several Jordanian players shake hands with the Moroccan ones, as well as their coach.
The ceremony also saw Sektioui share a warm embrace with Jordan's head coach Jamal Sellami, who is also Moroccan.
The Jordanian squad were greeted by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, as well as other prominent football figures, who awarded them silver medals after finishing as runners-up.
It was then the turn of the Moroccan side to make their way to the podium and receive their gold medals, as well as the Arab Cup trophy.
Some of the Jordanian team’s behaviour has been pointed out as "ironic" by several football fans, as goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila criticised Saudi Arabian captain Salem Al-Dawsari’s conduct earlier in the competition.
Abu Laila said Al-Dawsari greeted his team "coldly and refused to shake their hands" before their semi-final bout on Monday. Jordan beat the Green Falcons 1-0 to book their place in the final.
"I hope that the Saudi captain, Salem Al-Dawsari, will be more humble in the future," Abulaila said following their interaction.
Hours following the ceremony, Obeid addressed the incident on his Instagram page, saying what happened between Sektioui and the Moroccan side was "unintended and doesn’t represent our ethics as Jordanians".
"We present our apologies to the captain [coach Sektioui], and he has all the love and respect [from us]," he said.
Jordan’s alleged lack of sportsmanship towards Morocco drew criticism on social media, with many calling it "shameful" and "classless".
The Jordan Football Association (JFA) has been contacted for a comment on the matter.
Morocco beat Jordan 3-2 in a thrilling final, which saw an impressive goal from Moroccan winger Oussama Tanane from his own within the first five minutes of the match. In the second-half, Jordan equalised and took the lead via striker Ali Olwan, the tournament’s top scorer, who netted twice.
Morocco, however, came back with a goal from Abderrazak Hamdallah towards the end of the second half, forcing the game into extra time. The same player went on to score the winning goal, leading Morocco to Arab Cup victory.