Rabat- The technical director of the Moroccan football team, Jamal Fathi, considers the controversy over Moroccan-Belgian footballer Marouane Fellaini to be overstated, explaining that it was Fellaini who refused to join the Moroccan team.
After his brilliant performance with the Belgium team in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, especially in his most recent match against Japan, the Moroccan-Belgian player Marouane Fellaini has caught the attention of Moroccan sport followers lately. As a result, many Moroccan fans have blamed Fathi, a former Moroccan Olympic team coach, for not recruiting Fellaini into the national team.
In response to speculations about Fellaini on social media, Fathi reported to the daily Moroccan newspaper “Al Akhbar” that everyone can join the Moroccan team without exception. He said he had already given a chance to Fellaini to join Morocco in 2005, but Fellaini could not prove himself good enough for the national team at that time.
Fathi recalled that he was behind the appearance of some talented players like Benatia, El Ahmadi, and Dirar, in addition to many local players.
“Some people have a short memory. We had already sent an invitation to Fellaini to join the national Olympic team. However, he declined the invitation. He was even playing for the Belgian team that we faced in Belgium and we beat 3-1.”
“Mohamed Fakhir had also sent Fellaini a second invitation to play with the national team of Morocco, but his invitation was expressively refused, favoring the Belgians’ team,” he added.
Fathi does not understand the reactions and criticisms brought over the emergence of Belgium’s defender in the 2018 World Cup. “We must end this story that has lasted 13 years.”
Fathi denied claims that he had said “Fellaini’s physique and height were not those of a footballer.” He stressed that this talk cannot be made by a national sports coach who operates within a training and coaching framework.
“My position within the training system, whether at the local, African or international level, requires me to set an example for other national coaches,” he concluded.
