Ouahbi defends Ezzalzouli: "No one can question his patriotism"
At his press conference in Rabat, coach Mohamed Ouahbi addressed the controversy sparked by Abdessamad Ezzalzouli after he wore a shirt linked to Ceuta, reaffirming his trust in the player's patriotism and calling the matter closed.
Coach Mohamed Ouahbi addressed, at his press conference at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, the controversy surrounding Real Betis winger Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, after he was seen wearing a shirt supporting the population of occupied Ceuta shortly before his club's match against Villarreal.
"His action wasn't appropriate"
While defending the player, Ouahbi didn't shy away from calling the move inappropriate, explaining that Ezzalzouli was handed the shirt in the tunnel leading to the pitch just minutes before kick-off, without grasping its political weight at the time.
"They gave him that shirt in the tunnel and he put it on without thinking, and that's when the controversy started. His action wasn't appropriate, but no one can question his patriotism."
A simple error of judgement
The national coach said what happened was nothing more than a lapse in judgement from a young player, stressing the need to support him rather than attack him.
"Sometimes we need to help the player first before judging him. As far as I'm concerned, this matter is closed."
Ezzalzouli himself had posted a statement on Instagram explaining that wearing the shirt carried no political intent, while reaffirming his attachment to his Moroccan roots.
Focus turns to Gabon and Lesotho
The remarks came as part of the announcement of Morocco's squad for the matches against Gabon and Lesotho in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers - Ezzalzouli keeping his place in the group despite weeks of controversy.