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Thursday, December 7, 2023

Fouzi Lekjaa wins re-election for Moroccan federation presidency, discusses national team coach Halilhodžić

Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) president Fouzi Lekjaa was re-elected to a third term as Morocco’s top football official on Friday following the FRMF’s general assembly. The influential figure in Moroccan as well as African football will continue in the post he has held since 2014 and was the only candidate on the ballot Friday. In addition to his duties at the FRMF, Lekjaa is a member of the FIFA Council and was previously president of top Moroccan club and two-time CAF Confederation Cup winners RS Berkane.

Lekjaa’s comments following the election drew plenty of speculation when it comes to the Morocco national team and the ongoing question of whether Atlas Lions manager Vahid Halilhodžić will lead the team at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. While stating that the national team will “honor Moroccan football in Qatar”, Lekjaa mentioned that everything having to do with the team’s “technical supervision” will be discussed in the very near future.

Halilhodžić’s status has continued to look shaky with many calling for his dismissal despite an excellent win-loss record due to his fractured relationships with a couple of Atlas Lions players including Chelsea playmaker Hakim Ziyech. The Bosnian tactician has made an effort to repair his issues with players like Noussair Mazraoui and Amine Harit with both European-based players returning to the Atlas Lions setup in 2022.