The Moroccan’s name was nowhere to be found on the 24-man squad list for the current international break.
Hakim Ziyech has been dropped from the Morroco for the World Cup qualifiers due to his “unacceptable behaviour”, the national team’s head coach Vahid Halilhodzic has confirmed.
Ziyech’s omission served as a source of huge surprise for fans and neutrals alike, especially considering he had fully recovered from his shoulder injury.
He last played for nation on June 12 in the 1-0 friendly win against Burkin Faso.
Morocco play Sudan today and Guinea on September 6 for their World Cup qualifier, and the Chelsea star will not be involved in either of those fixtures.
“His behaviour in the last two matches, especially the last one, was not that of a national team player who as a leader in the team has to be a positive role model,” explained Halilhodzic, per The Arab News.
“He arrived late and after that, he even refused to work. There was no point in discussing it afterwards, as a coach the answer is right there to see. For me, the national team is above everything, nobody can hold it hostage.
“For the first time in my coaching career, I have seen behaviour that disappoints me. A player who refuses to play a game, admittedly a friendly, on the pretext that he is injured.
“The medical staff made several examinations and said he could play. He then refused to warm up in the second half because he was disappointed to be a substitute. For me, that type of behaviour is unacceptable. You can’t cheat with the national team. You are 100% there or you are not.”
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