Morocco Coach Halilhodzic Under Fire for Alleged Insults After World Cup Qualification

Vahid Halilhodzic found himself at the center of a new controversy because of a video from the Hesport site published on social media. As he savored Morocco’s qualification - which beat the Democratic Republic of Congo in the return playoff (4-1 after the first leg 1-1) - for the World Cup in Qatar, the Atlas Lions supporters present at the Mohammed-V stadium in Casablanca responded with whistles. "Shit", "Dirty Bastards", the coach of the Atlas Lions would have replied in turn.

Moroccan supporters have not yet forgiven Vahid Halilhodzic for his poor record, particularly during the 2021 CAN - Morocco eliminated in the quarter-finals after their 2-1 defeat against Egypt - and the sidelining of Moroccan internationals Hakim Ziyech and Noussair Mazraoui. In addition to calls for his resignation, he had received death threats after this defeat. "I was threatened with death after the defeat against Egypt, I’m used to it as a coach, but I also receive encouragement, it does me good," the Franco-Bosnian technician had said during a press conference held at the Mohammed VI Complex in Maâmoura near Casablanca.