Players Hakim Ziyech and Nassir Mazraoui refused to return to play with the Moroccan national team during their next two matches against the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the occasion of the decisive role in the qualifying rounds for the World Cup Qatar 2022.
Morocco coach Vahid Halilhodzic ruled out Ziyech and Mazraoui months ago and did not invite them to participate with the team that was eliminated from the quarter-finals of the African Nations, which took place earlier this year in Cameroon.
The president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Faouzi Lekjaa, announced the return of the duo to the "Atlas Lions" during the next two matches, but Ziyech and Mazrouei published separate statements in which they provided justifications for their decision not to return.
Ziyech said - through his account on Instagram - "I love my country and have the honor to play with the national team, but I am sad to announce that I will not return to playing with the national team despite the university president's announcement of my selection in the preliminary list for the next two matches."
"I am sorry to the fans, it was difficult for me to make this decision, after I have done everything possible with my country over the past six years, the leadership continues to spread misinformation, whether about me personally or about my commitment to my country," the Chelsea star added.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Hakim Ziyech (@hziyech)
And the player - who scored 7 goals in 40 matches with the Moroccan national team - continued, "These actions made it impossible to continue with the national team. I learned of the decision to be called up in the initial list like everyone else, and therefore I preferred that the correct information come out of me directly through this statement .. I am currently focused. As a player on my career with my team."
For his part, Mazraoui - who has not played for the national team since November 2020 - said, "For a year and a half, I have not been called up to the national team, without reason or explanation. No party from the Royal University or the technical staff contacted me to explain to me the reason for this exclusion. ".
"I've never felt such disrespect for myself as a professional player or as a person, it was a painful moment for me. Despite all the lies about me in the media, I remained calm and silent."
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Noussair Mazraoui (@nousmaz97)
The 24-year-old defender indicated that he tried to contact coach Halilhodzic, and said, "I recently had the decency to speak with the officials of the Royal League. I did so out of love for the fans and Morocco. Unfortunately, it seems that the coach did not have time to talk to me about The current situation. Dispelling the misconceptions surrounding me is very important to me."
The two players wished all success to their teammates in the next two matches, as the Atlantic Lions will meet the Democratic Republic of the Congo, back in Kinshasa on March 25, and back in Casablanca on March 29.