Rabat – FIFA has officially denied the Royal Moroccan Federation (FRMF) request that Moroccan-Spanish footballer, Munir El Haddadi, play for the Moroccan team, according to sports news outlet Esto.
Esto reported that FIFA addressed a letter to the Moroccan federation, explaining that El Haddadi will not join the Moroccan football team.
In December, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) closed El Haddadi’s case when the Moroccan Federation withdrew an appeal request, asking the court to allow El Haddadi to play for Morocco.
In November, Moroccan news daily Assabah reported that El Haddadi had contacted FRMF, calling for their support in his petition to FIFA to allow him to play with Morocco in the 2018 World Cup.
The withdrawal of the appeal request was confirmed by the Moroccan official football website Lion de l’Atlas.
Born to Moroccan parents in Spain, the footballer represented Spain at the youth level and made a brief appearance as a substitute at an international game against Macedonia in 2014. His appearance against Macedonia ruined his chances to represent the Moroccan national football team, according to FIFA eligibility rules.
The forward is currently playing for Alaves, where he has been playing “on loan” for the 2017-2018 period. He has also represented the Spanish national team, Spanish national under-19 football team, and Spanish national under-21 football team.
During his youth, the 21-year-old footballer also played for several Spanish clubs, including Atletico Madrid, FC Valencia, and Rayo Majadahonda.
