Latest news with #Moroccans'
Morocco World
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Regragui: Morocco's Is an Attacking Team That Depends on Possession
Rabat – Under pressure since Morocco's early exit from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d'Ivoire, national team coach Walid Regragui has responded to public criticism by highlighting the team's tactical shift toward a more possession-based, attacking approach. Speaking in an interview with French newspaper L'Équipe this week on Saturday, Regragui acknowledged Moroccans' high expectations of the national team and the scrutiny that followed their elimination in the AFCON round of 16. Still, he made it clear that the criticism doesn't shake his resolve to have his team play as he thinks they should. 'I accept criticism as long as it is logical. This is part of my job,' Regragui said. He explained that he expects to be judged during each training camp, but said he finds frustrating the nitpicking over stylistic choices. 'What bothers me most is the search for small details, such as the style of play,' he noted. However, the coach pointed to hard data to defend his strategy, stating, 'Our offensive statistics speak for themselves, and it is unfortunate that we are viewed in the same light as the World Cup, when it is clear that there is a difference between the national team before the World Cup and after it. We are today an attacking team that depends on possession.' Regragui described the AFCON exit as a tough moment that prompted necessary change. 'After the elimination in Côte d'Ivoire, where the loss was very difficult, I worked on a new dynamic to reorganize the Lions' squad by relying on new players in new attacking roles,' he said. Read also: AFCON or Out: Regragui Reveals Pact with Federation Chief Backing up Regragui's suggestion, L'Équipe shared statistics showing a marked evolution in Morocco's playing style. Since Regragui took charge, the team has scored 71 goals in 35 matches—more than two per match on average—while conceding just 17. Additionally, since the end of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, Morocco's average ball possession has climbed to 61%, up from 45.5%. The team also holds a 68% win rate under Regragui—the highest of any coach in the national team's history. While the coach may be facing scrutiny from fans and commentators, he has maintained unwavering support from his players. Midfielder Brahim Diaz praised the atmosphere in the team and Regragui's leadership. 'The Moroccan national team includes a new generation of players with great ambition and a desire to learn,' Diaz said. 'A family atmosphere prevails among us, with the utmost discipline and demands. Regragui knows how to bring out the best in each of us and motivates us to be brave, to play with our hearts and minds together. We feel that we are building something great, something that can inspire future generations and leave a true legacy.' Team captain Achraf Hakimi echoed those thoughts, emphasizing Regragui's clarity of vision. 'Walid knows what he wants, and he has a clear vision for this team. We are developing alongside him, and this is the most important thing in preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations,' Hakimi said. He added: 'We have a great responsibility, as representing Morocco is a great honor. We know very well what our people expect from us, and we are ready. We are working hard, maintaining our focus, and we will do everything in our power to win this title.' As part of their preparations for the upcoming continental tournament on home soil, the Moroccan national team will play two international friendlies against Tunisia and Benin on May 6 and 8. Both matches are scheduled to kick off at 21:00 (GMT+1) at the Fez Stadium. Tags: 2025 afconMorocco national teamregraguiWalid Regragui
Ya Biladi
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
PAM joins Istiqlal in criticizing Akhannouch administration ahead of 2026 elections
Following the Istiqlal party, the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), another key player in the government coalition, has now criticized the Akhannouch administration's handling of certain sectors. During its meeting on Wednesday, March 12, the political bureau of the party did not hold back. The body «calls on the government to cancel the customs and tax exemptions aimed at lowering meat prices, as they have not had the desired effect». Positioning itself as a defender of Moroccans' purchasing power, the PAM expressed concern over «the price hikes and economic difficulties faced by many social groups». It urges the government to «iboost monitoring and take action against certain speculators and corrupt professionals who continue to exploit their networks to incite crises and profit from speculative activities», the PAM said in a statement. The party's criticism also extended to the government's action plan to boost employment by 2030, which is allocated 15 billion dirhams and was outlined in a circular from the head of government published last February. While acknowledging that «high unemployment is everyone's responsibility», the political bureau emphasized that «this new plan requires collective, responsible, and genuine commitment from all stakeholders, with a sophisticated national approach and real involvement from public authorities and elected officials». It's worth noting that the minister responsible for employment is Younes Sekkouri, a member of the PAM. These «friendly fire» incidents within the governing coalition are becoming more frequent. On January 11 in Casablanca, Nizar Baraka, the Secretary-General of the Istiqlal party, also criticized the poor results of the Akhannouch administration. As Morocco gears up for the 2026 legislative elections, 2025 promises to be a year of intense preparation for all parties, both in the majority and opposition, accompanied by its fair share of controversies.
Ya Biladi
06-02-2025
- Ya Biladi
Spain : 58 Moroccans arrested for welfare fraud
The Spanish National Police, in collaboration with the Labor Inspectorate, has successfully dismantled a network of companies in Granada involved in facilitating illegal access to social assistance. The operation was spearheaded by a couple who orchestrated the scheme. Authorities arrested 60 individuals, including 58 Moroccans who were found to be in Spain irregularly and were benefiting from these illicit funds. The investigation revealed that the total amount embezzled exceeded €211,000. Fortunately, a significant portion of this sum has been recovered and returned to the public treasury. The focal point of the operation was a duo of business operators who sought to regularize the administrative status of numerous foreign nationals, predominantly Moroccans, through fraudulent job offers in the agricultural sector. Both the National Police and the Labor Inspectorate scrutinized over a hundred applications for regularization submitted from various regions, including Granada, Almeria, Malaga, Huelva, and Murcia, as reported by Europa Press. The probe commenced in November 2021, initiated by Granada's Immigration and Border Unit. Their investigation targeted the couple, who had facilitated the regularization of many Moroccans' legal status in Spain using fictitious job offers in agriculture. Investigators quickly observed that the number of contracts issued was not only illogical but also vastly disproportionate to the actual capabilities of the businesses operated by the couple. This discrepancy was evident in both the amount of agricultural land and the volume of production claimed.
