Moroccan Stars Ziyech and Mazraoui Decline National Team Call-Up, Sparking Social Media Debate

A cascade of reactions. Some Internet users have supported Hakim Ziyech and Noussair Mazraoui. "Congratulations to the Moroccans who spammed for months to bring back Ziyech and Mazraoui. Thanks to you, the two will no longer drag the shame of having been ejected. They can say in the evening that they themselves refused the Lions (of the Atlas). Their ego is intact, bravo to you," tweets an Internet user. Mourad Boukhari adds: "Full support for Hakim Ziyech & Noussair Mazraoui. Honest, clear and legitimate explanations. Vahid is the only one responsible for this regrettable situation." "Thank you Ziyech for not playing the hypocrite, we don’t come to dinner at someone who doesn’t call you. Mazraoui is right not to come, as long as Vahid is there, we can’t talk about a team," writes another Internet user.

There were not only positive comments. Other Internet users have harshly criticized the two players. "Ziyech and Mazraoui did not understand that they had to put their egos aside to come and help the mountakhab. They don’t come for Vahid or the federation, etc. but for the millions of Moroccans of all ages who would dream of seeing their team at the World Cup," writes Maroc Millénaire. "Vahid and the federation are also responsible. However, what Ziyech and Mazraoui have just done is unforgivable. We don’t turn our backs on the flag, we play for our country, not for the coach or the federation," tweets Rayane. "We lose to Algeria in the Arab Cup, we lose the CAN and Ziyech and Mazraoui refuse the selection nothing is going well," fumes another Internet user in anger.

Among the Internet users, there are those who accuse the national team coach Vahid Halilhodzic of being at the origin of this situation and demand his resignation. "For more than a year, Vahid has been burning Ziyech and Mazraoui in front of the press, accusing them of everything and its opposite! Today they are pre-selected without even a call to explain themselves! What amateurism from the federation! Personally, I totally understand the reaction of the 2," indignantly the owner of the Space club account. "Vahid is a shitty coach, let’s say the terms. He’s 72 and he still has 8 years in his head. He refuses to discuss with Mazraoui and Ziyech out of simple "pride". #VahidOut," Yassine flares up.