Morocco cause a frenzy at friendly matches in Spain
The Moroccan national team chose Spain to play two friendly matches ahead of the World Cup in Qatar in November. The Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) decided to offer these matches to the large Moroccan community living in Spain. The cities chosen were Barcelona and Seville.
The first friendly ended with a 2-0 victory over Chile in a match in which Ziyech was once again in the starting line-up alongside Hakimi, Bono and En-Nesyri. In addition, Ez Abde, Osasuna's new striker, replaced the Chelsea player in a match in which Boufal and Sabiri scored.
Espanyol's RCD Stadium hosted the match, which was attended by 25,000 spectators. The Chilean community living in Spain also wanted to be present at a pre-World Cup match, although in the end they will not play it after FIFA's decision to inappropriately field Byron Castillo because Chile considered him to be of Colombian nationality.
The worst part of the friendly between Morocco and Chile occurred on the outskirts of the stadium when a group of Atlas Lions fans tried to gain access to the stadium without respecting the security measures and jumping the turnstiles that gave access.
The problem arose because the ticket offices would not accept cash to pay for tickets and many did not have credit cards. Frustration at not being able to see Morocco was what caused the altercations.
Once inside, the madness of the Moroccan fans was unleashed on the Moroccans. Hundreds of fans jumped onto the pitch of the Espanyol stadium once the match was over and took photographs or took the goal nets as souvenirs. In one of the images, a young man can be seen raising a chair to celebrate the victory, imitating Alaba's gesture.
بعض الصور من مباراة اليوم أمام المنتخب الشيلي ??
? Pictures from tonight's win against Chile #DimaMaghrib ?? pic.twitter.com/3VqPO7vUmk— Équipe du Maroc (@EnMaroc) September 23, 2022
Espanyol and the FRMF are already working to assess the damage caused both inside the stadium and in the surrounding area by this group of Moroccan supporters.
The next friendly will be in Seville, at the Betis stadium. Another spectacular setting for Moroccans and Paraguayans to enjoy their national team in Spain.
The Moroccan Football Federation itself and the government sub-delegation in Seville have worked to avoid a repeat of the Barcelona incidents.
Regragui's team must focus on preparing for the World Cup in Qatar because there will be no more windows for the national team. On 10 November, the list of those called up by Morocco to defend the national colours in Qatar will be made public in an event to which Morocco arrives with a historic team.
