Chelsea FC star Hakim Ziyech said, on February 8, he will not be returning to the national team, following issues with the national coach Vahid Halilhodzic who accuses him of disciplinary problems.
Ziyech told Hesport in a statement that his decision to not return to the national team is final.
“It is all clear for me now, how things are going on over there,” Hakim Ziyech said, adding, “Now, I am focusing on what I am doing, and all I know, is my club,” he specified.
In a response to Hesport’s question about the reaction of football fans, Hakim Ziyech said he feel sorry for them, and it’s a situation he cannot do anything about.
In recent sporting events, including FIFA Qatar World Cup, and CAN 2021, Morocco’s national coach did not invite Hakim Ziyech to be part of the national team, stating, “he doesn’t respect the national team jersey.”
“Anyone who doesn’t respect the team cannot play with me,” Vahid said, adding, “there are 38 million Moroccans who love that team and are proud of it, we cannot spoil its image, and it is important that everyone behaves correctly,” he specified ahead of CAN in the press conference.
Some Moroccan football fans expressed their desire through social media, primarily Twitter, to convince Ziyech to reconsider his decision to quit the national team, urging the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Faouzi Lekja, to step in and convince Ziyech to continue to be a part of the national team.
Several Moroccan fans have stated that Ziyech “preferred to represent the Moroccan national team, rather than his club,” despite ongoing tensions between him and the national coach.
The international football star has distinguished himself within his club, following his good performance with his glittering goal just after halftime the game’s signature moment, guaranteeing Chelsea’s victory against Tottenham (2-0) in the second season.
Chelsea FC will face off Saudi team Al Hilal in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup, taking place this Wednesday, in the UAE at the Mohammed bin Zayed stadium.
London’s club Chelsea was the last winner of the Champions League, leading it to qualify directly for the last competitions.
The Club World Cup will bring together the champions of the six continental confederations as well as the best team of the host country.
The decision made by Hakeem not to play for the national team is the right one considering what is going on now in the team. This gent had issue with Hervy Renard and these problems were created by someone in the staff who does not like the star Hakeem in the team. This same guy of the team has been behind issue when Badou Zaki was the coach. The real paradox is you can change almost all members of the staff but that guy. What is the powerful authority that is backing him up? Cause this authority seems to be more powerful laKjaa himself.
Hakeem is a real patriot. He chose the nation and resisted the backlash he received from Dutch people, including their media. He is not asking for getting a special treatment but for respect.
As long as Haji is in the staff, we will see more problems with other player. Waheed is behind the time and no need to criticize him. He just needs to be fired asap.