The Moroccan Federation of Football (FRMF) refuted accusations in an article in Madrid newspaper AS, alleging that football player Lamine Yamal had been offered money to persuade him to join Morocco’s Atlas Lions. The Federation stated that the allegations are “not based on any proof.”
The Federation tweeted that it “categorically denies the false information published by AS.” It went on, “We respected the decision of Lamine Yamal, like those of other players of Moroccan origin who chose other national teams.” Notwithstanding the Federation’s efforts at talent scouting and recruitment, it “complies with the applicable regulations and the clear objectives set by the National Technical Directors of various national teams across all categories,” the Federation asserted.
Although Yamal who also holds Moroccan nationality has already made his official debut with Spain, the International Federation of Football Association (FIFA) rules allow him to swap countries as long as he does not have three selections.
Yamal, whose left leg was injured after Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Granada, will leave the Spanish selection and will therefore not participate in the matches against Scotland scheduled for Thursday and Norway scheduled for Sunday, nor the classico scheduled for October 28, announced the Spanish football federation (RFEF) on Tuesday after Yamal’s medical examination.
Barça had announced earlier that Yamal was suffering from an “injury to the iliopsoas (muscle) of the left leg.”