Hakim Ziyech omitted from squad

Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech has been omitted from the latest Morocco squad.

This is due to unacceptable behaviour, the country’s head coach Vahid Halilhodzic has confirmed.

Hakim Ziyech has won 41 caps for Morocco since making his international debut in 2015.

His last outing came in the 1-0 friendly victory over Burkina Faso on June 12.

The Chelsea winger also appeared from the bench in a 1-0 win against Ghana four days earlier.

But he was not included in Halilhodzic’s latest squad for World Cup qualifiers against Sudan and Guinea.

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Halilhodzic on Ziyech

Halilhodzic has now explained why he has left Ziyech out.

He revealed that the 28-year-old’s conduct in the last international break fell well short of the required standard.

“His behaviour in the last two matches, especially the last one, was not that of a national team player.”

“Especially a player who as a leader in the team has to be a positive role model.”

“He arrived late and after that, he even refused to work.”

“There was no point in discussing it afterwards, as a coach the answer is right there to see.”

“For me, the national team is above everything, nobody can hold it hostage,” he added.

The Morocco boss claims Ziyech initially feigned injury to get out of playing against Ghana.

He then refused to warm up when asked to come on in the second half to show his disapproval after being named as a substitute.