Media365 editorial staff, published on Monday, March 14, 2022 at 2:35 a.m.
Preselected by Morocco for the 2022 World Cup play-offs, Hakim Ziyech and Noussair Mazraoui declined the invitation and explained why.
The emotional elevator has been working at full speed these last hours for the supporters of the Atlas Lions. Up first, when the President of the Federation, Fouzi Lekjaaannounced Sunday morning on the airwaves of MFM the returns of the banished Hakim Ziyech and Noussair Mazraoui, in view of the play-offs of the 2022 World Cup against DR Congo, on March 25 and 29. Down then, when the two players took the floor to deny any upcoming return to the national jersey.
Ziyech accuses the leaders
“I love my country and playing for the Moroccan national team has been the honor of my life. It is therefore with great sadness that I must announce that, although the president of the FRMF confirmed today that I will be shortlisted for the team, I will not return to play for Morocco. I’m sorry to disappoint the fans, it was not an easy decision to make, but unfortunately I have no other choice, Ziyech wrote on his account Instagram. Although I have given my all to the team for the past 6 years and have supported it all my life, I have no choice. Leaders continue to spread misinformation about me and my commitment to my country. Their actions made it impossible for me to continue on the team. I heard the news about the screening at the same time as everyone else, so I’m posting this statement to make sure you hear the truth directly from me. Thanks to everyone who supported me. I wish the team all the best for the future. As a player, my focus is on my club, Chelsea FC. »
Mazraoui denounces a lack of respect
The same justifications are at work in Noussair Mazraoui, who also communicated on his social media. “In the last year and a half, I haven’t been called up to the national team without any reason or explanation. For a year and a half not a single person from the Federation or the technical staff has taken the time to communicate or discuss with me the exact reasons for this situation. Never before have I felt this disrespect towards me as a professional athlete or just as a human being. It was a painful time for me. After all the lies peddled by the media against me as a person, I remained silent. I love playing for my country and I have always given my all. It’s been very hard for me not being able to help out and be part of the team for the past year and a half. It was never my choice and I sincerely believe that I did not deserve this treatment. After all that has been said and done, I recently had the good fortune to speak and exchange with the leaders of the Federations on the situation of recent years. I did it for the love I have for the fans and my country Morocco. Unfortunately, the coach doesn’t seem to have had time to meet with me and discuss the situation. that was created around me as a team player. Being able to meet the coach and dispel all the misconceptions that surround me is of the utmost importance to me not only as a professional athlete, but also and above all as a human being. So it is with a broken heart that I have decided not to play for the national team in the next selection. I wish the best to the whole team and I hope to see you again in the future inchallah. »
Vahid Halilhodzicthe coach who has never publicly changed his intransigent position on the subject, won’t cut to questions about these aborted returns. Did he only want them himself?
