Moroccan Striker Accuses Former National Coach of Blacklisting Him Over Club Transfer

"The big capital I have lost in recent times is my distance from the national team. Every player loves to play for his country’s national team," says the Atlas Lion in a statement to the Egyptian channel Al Nahar, reported by the daily Al Akhbar.

According to Walid Azaro, recently loaned to the Saudi club of Al Ittifak, he had to make sacrifices before joining the Al Ahly club squad. For refusing the offer of the former coach of the Atlas Lions to play in a French club, the former star striker of DHJ lost his place in the national team during the last Africa Cup of Nations.

The same daily also specifies that this statement by Walid Azaro has opened the door to all possible interpretations, as to the role of agent that Hervé Renard played within the national team. Thus, any player who refused to join the national team squad proposed by Renard often lost his place in the national team.

Former coach Hervé Renard often interfered in the career choices and destinations of the national team players, we also learn. The technician also proposed French coaches to come and coach in Morocco. Even the new photographer of the national team was recruited by his care, we add.