Belgium Calls Up 7 Belgo-Moroccan Players for Under-17 National Team Camp

These are the Charleroi player Anas Hamas, the Standard de Liège players Mouad Elfamis and Ilyas Mago, the FC Genk players Bilal El Kahnnous, Sami Sqalli and Soufiane Taibi, and the Anderlecht player Ouassim El Antaki.

In its analysis, the newspaper Assabah, cited by Le360, states that it has become an annual tradition for the Belgian Football Federation to have Moroccan-Belgian players in its squad, and that this option blocks the way for the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).

According to the same source, the Belgian Federation would put pressure on the players, blackmailing them in case they refuse to wear the Red Devils jersey. These dual nationals would also be subject to threats of dismissal by their respective clubs.

While Belgium is pursuing its recruitment policy for Moroccan-Belgian players, Morocco remains inactive. This is at least what Osian Roberts, the new National Technical Director, deplored during a recent press conference held in Rabat.