Morocco coach Vahid Halilhodzic has voiced his frustration at Europe-based players not being released to join his squad, including Inter wing-back Achraf Hakimi.
The North Africans have been decimated by blocks across many European leagues, with Ligue 1 players barred from travelling and Inter’s Hakimi prevented from going, alongside Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat.
Halilhodzic questioned the decision to allow clubs to prevent players from travelling and felt that it discriminated against certain national teams, as he prepared Morocco for African Cup of Nations Qualifiers against Mauritania and Burundi.
“I do not support this decision made by FIFA, it is always an honour for a player to come to play in Africa and it is not right to deprive them of this,” the Bosnian coach declared in an interview with French television channel L’Equipe yesterday.
“It is unfair, unsportsmanlike and even discriminatory because they would like to join their national team.”
Halilhodzic pointed to Rennes defender Nayef Aguerd, who has been prevented from travelling by the coach’s former club, as an example of his frustration.
“I am very attached to Rennes and the Pinault family. I spoke to their manager and he said that if a player does not respond to the call then he takes responsibility for it. FIFA have touched an essential principle between clubs and nations.
“Normally, even an injured player must respond to the call-up and then it is decided if we keep him or not. All players must come, it is a matter of principle for me,” Halilhodzic concluded.
Inter defender Hakimi made his international debut for Morocco in 2016 and has scored three goals in 32 appearances for his country, representing the Atlas Lions at the 2018 World Cup and the 2019 African Cup of Nations.
