Morocco and 12 federations condemn UEFA president's remarks on World Cup matches
via Le Matin2 min read
Morocco and 12 other football federations have jointly rejected statements made by the UEFA president regarding the importance of certain World Cup matches. In a communiqué published on the Royal Moroccan Football Federation's website, these bodies stated that no World Cup match is unimportant for their countries. They highlighted that qualification for the FIFA World Cup represents a historic achievement and a dream come true for nations like Cape Verde, Curaçao, and Uzbekistan. For countries such as Congo and Haiti, returning to football's biggest stage after a long absence holds special significance for millions of fans. The federations expressed deep disappointment, stating that suggesting these matches are less important shows a lack of recognition for the efforts, sacrifices, and aspirations of players, coaches, clubs, officials, and supporters worldwide. They emphasized that behind every qualification are years of work and investment, and behind every national team are entire communities for whom football is a source of pride, hope, and unity. The communiqué affirmed that football's strength lies in its universality, and the FIFA World Cup brings together different cultures, histories, and football journeys. Participating in the World Cup is not just a sporting achievement; it inspires generations, accelerates football development, and creates lasting memories. The federations reiterated their belief that every qualified nation deserves respect, every team earned its p
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Ismael Saibari is reportedly close to joining Bayern Munich, with Foot Mercato and Fabrizio Romano confirming a verbal agreement with PSV Eindhoven for a 55 million euro transfer. The Moroccan international, who had an exceptional season with PSV Eindhoven scoring 19 goals and providing 9 assists in 37 matches, is expected to undergo a medical in the United States, where the World Cup is currently taking place, before finalizing a contract until 2031. His recent performances for the national team, including a goal against Brazil, have also contributed to the accelerated transfer. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi, a midfielder for LOSC, has also garnered significant attention from top European clubs. His impressive performance in his first World Cup match against Brazil, showcasing maturity, technical quality, and ability to control the game, has attracted interest from Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea. Despite the growing interest, Bouaddi stated to "The Athletic" that he is currently focused on the World Cup and his team, deferring discussions about his future.
Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation FRMF, has responded to claims of Morocco's influence within the Confederation of African Football CAF and FIFA. Lekjaa stated that Morocco's presence is a result of hard work and performance, not hidden influence, emphasizing that there are no Moroccan officials in CAF and no Moroccan chairs any commissions managing African football. He highlighted the progress of Moroccan football, citing the Atlas Lions' performance in the 2022 World Cup, successes in youth and women's football, and futsal. Lekjaa also underscored the structural development of Moroccan football, referencing the Mohammed VI Football Complex and the Mohammed VI Football Academy, which has produced national team players like Nayef Aguerd and Azzedine Ounahi. Regarding dual-nationality players, Lekjaa asserted that their choice to represent Morocco is driven by competitive sports projects, consistent participation in major competitions, and quality infrastructure, rather than financial incentives. He noted that players like Lamine Yamal make personal choices. Lekjaa also discussed Morocco's preparations for the 2030 World Cup, co-hosted with Spain and Portugal, envisioning balanced development across all regions of the country. He concluded that Moroccan football's strength lies in its forward-looking vision, modern infrastructure, effective training, and sporting achievements.