Talib criticizes Diop and university football

National leader Abderrahim Taleb launched an attack on defender Issa Diop, the English Fulham football player, refusing to join the Moroccan national team in the 2026 World Cup.

In a press statement, Taleb considered that the dignity of the national shirt and the pride in belonging are more precious than any artistic addition, stressing that if he were the coach of the “Atlas Lions,” he would never summon the player because of his previous preference for France.

The Moroccan coach stressed the need for Diop to bear responsibility for his old positions, explaining that the Moroccan national team is a sacred entity and cannot be an “alternative plan” for those who failed with European teams.

The national framework indicated that representing the country requires absolute loyalty from the beginning and does not accept compromise or placing Morocco in a secondary position in the career of any professional.

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation was not spared from the criticism of Taleb, who was surprised by the insistence on chasing the player despite his previous position, as he considered that rushing after Diop at this time harms the pride of Moroccan football and the image of the national elite.