Abderrazak Hamdallah Renews Denial of Contact with Coach Halilhodzic

Rabat – Moroccan footballer Abderrazak Hamdallah has again taken to Instagram to clarify his previous statements about whether he has been in touch with Vahid Halilhodzic, the coach of Morocco’s national team.

Hamdallah said the clarification comes “so that my words are not twisted.”

“The last call between me and Mr. Mustapha Hadji [a member of Halilhodzic’s staff] was in the year 2019, and it was a personal call where he offered me technical advice, for which I am thankful,” Hamdallah said in an Instagram story. “He explained why I wasn’t invited to play for Morocco’s team, but he did not invite me.”

“The coach’s claim that I received an invite from Mr. Hadji, him, or the national team, and that I declined the invite and asked for a starting position is devoid of truth,” the footballer added.

“Finally, I wish the national team success in all their endeavors,” he concluded. “I would not hesitate or impose any conditions if I am invited to contribute to the Moroccan people’s happiness, as that is an issue and honor for any player.”

Hamdallah made a statement earlier today, insisting that Halilhodzic’s remarks about being in touch with him were “all lies.”

“I confirm that there was no contact or talk between me and the coach or any member of his staff since he has been in charge of the team,” he said in the other statement, also posted on his Instagram account.

Halilhodzic had claimed that Hamdallah was invited to play for the national team, but demanded to be a key player as a condition of his acceptance of the invite.

The coach has been the target of backlash from fans following the team’s run in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations being cut short.

While fans have been saying Halilhodzic’s man-management issues and tactics have caused the team’s poor results lately, the Bosnian coach has stood by his strategies and appeared to be dismissing his critics.

Fans also protested decisions like the dismissal of key players such as Hakim Ziyech, who announced his retirement from the national team. Many have interpreted this as a protest against Halilhodzic’s actions.