![Spanish Representatives Oppose Morocco’s Joint Bid with Spain and Portugal Spain’ Prime Minister proposed a trio bid with Morocco and Portugal to host the 2030 World Cup; but the idea does not appear to be popular with Spanish politicians. The representatives of two Spanish political parties, the People’s Party and the Citizens-Party, have said they do not want Spain to submit a joint candidacy with Portugal and Morocco for the 2030 World Cup. In a meeting organized by the National Federation of Sports Facilities Entrepreneurs (FNEID) in Madrid, the People’s party representative, Vicente Azpitarte dismissively spoke about Spain joining a trio with Morocco and Portugal to organize the World Cup. Azpitarte specifically wondered whether Spain would get any advantages from teaming up with the two countries, t Spanish news outlet Iusport reported on Wednesday. The Citizens-Party representative, Roberto Nunez, agreed with Azpitarte. “We do not intend to organize a World Cup with other countries. Spain has more than enough capacity [to organize the World Cup], it is a country that has already organized a World Cup, and we do not understand that proposal,” Nunez said. The adviser of United Podemos, Oscar Penas, stated that he does not clearly see why “the priority is to organize a World Cup or an Olympiad at this time.” Morocco and Spain cooperate on a number of issues, ranging from security and migration to trade and education. On November 18, the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, arrived in Morocco for a first visit since his election to premiership. During his visit, Sanchez proposed to both Head of Government Saad Eddine El Othmani and King Mohammed VI a joint bid for the 2030 World Cup. “We are launching a joint message, which is that this will be a bid between two continents. The King of Morocco is receptive and we’re going to work on it with Portugal. We are very excited about it,” Sanchez said.](https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/ABL-Launches-in-Casablanca-Becoming-Africa’s-First-Aircraft-Leaser-180x135.jpeg "ABL Launches in Casablanca, Becoming Africa’s First Aircraft Leaser")
Rabat - Fouzi Lekjaa, President of Morocco’s Royal Football Federation (FRMF) has broken his silence after Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal raids on Wydad of Casablanca for its key forward, Achraf Bencharki.
Rabat – Fouzi Lekjaa, President of Morocco’s Royal Football Federation (FRMF) has broken his silence after Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal raids on Wydad of Casablanca for its key forward, Achraf Bencharki.
In an interview with Moroccan TV channel Medi 1 TV, Lekjaa said that “ no one is allowed to influence in any way Bencharki who is currently focusing on his mission with the Moroccan national football team.”
Bencharki is among the best players in Morocco after spending a successful season with both the Moroccan national football team and his Wydad of Casablanca team.
In recent weeks, the Saudi club has been offering important deals to Wydad of Casablanca for Bencharki. On January 15, the club turned down a USD 3 million offer for Bencharki, explaining that the team is interested in keeping the forward. However, Moroccan and Gulf news outlets reported that Wydad agreed to give in its key player to Al Hilal for USD 5 million. Yet, Wydad has not confirmed the news.
In his remarks, Lekjaa said that any deal offered to Bencharki or any other player “must be in favor of the Moroccan football and in favor of players.” Lekjaa, therefore, refused the idea of Bencharki’s transfer as Morocco’s national football team coach relies on him in the 2018 World Cup. FRMF chief said that he held talks with Bencharki about this offer, advising him to refuse offers to clubs that may not help him develop his potential.
Saudi Arabia’s news outlet Sabq reported earlier this month that Renard advised Bencharki to decline Al-Hilal offer.
Bencharki is currently representing Morocco in the ongoing African Nations championship, which is being held in Morocco from January 13 to February 4. Bencharki scored a goal on Saturday for Morocco in the opening match of the tournament against Mauritania.
