Algeria Football– Moroccan player Hakim Ziyech, currently under contract with Turkish club Galatasaray, continues to openly demonstrate his support for the Palestinian cause on social networks. Recently, he shared a message on Instagram in reaction to the events that took place in the Netherlands during a match between Israeli club Maccabi Tel-Aviv and Ajax Amsterdam in the Europa League. These clashes, involving supporters of Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv as well as members of the Arab community, provoked varied reactions.
In a story on his Instagram account, Ziyech shared a video, writing: “When it’s not women and children, they run away quickly. Palestine will remain free.” This message was widely welcomed by Arab fans and defenders of the Palestinian cause, but it also drew criticism from some people, including among Maccabi Tel Aviv players.
Among Ziyech’s detractors, a Maccabi Tel-Aviv player even called on UEFA to sanction the Moroccan international, believing that his comments were not appropriate in the sporting context. This reaction illustrates the polarization of opinions around the Palestinian question and the public positions taken by athletes.
In addition, according to sources from the media Le360, Ziyech would have received warnings from his professional entourage, in particular from a member of the agency managing his career. This official, of Dutch origin, would have advised the player to moderate his comments and avoid attacking specific parties, so as not to compromise his future transfer opportunities. Ziyech, currently at Galatasaray, could indeed leave the Turkish club in the coming months, and some teams would be interested in his services.
This is not the first time Ziyech has found himself in a difficult situation due to his public positions. For several years, many players have chosen to express their opinions on social and political causes, even if this can sometimes harm their image with certain groups or provoke adverse reactions in the sporting world.
Furthermore, the absence of Ziyech in the final list of the Moroccan national team for the last matches was noted. Some have speculated that this decision was linked to his statements in support of Palestine. However, the said media confirmed that his absence was purely technical and had nothing to do with his social media posts. Indeed, coach Walid Regragui had included him in an extended list, but ultimately decided not to retain him for tactical reasons.
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