Morocco’s football federation to sue news website over Aboukhlal salafism accusations

RABAT - The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) decided on Sunday to take legal action against Moroccan website Achkayen following an article accusing Zakaria Aboukhlal of advocating salafism during the World Cup in Qatar.

Achkayen accused Moroccan winger Aboukhlal, who scored against Belgium during Morocco's crazy epic at the World Cup, of promoting Salafism and religious proselytism in the Moroccan locker room.

Aboukhlal who plays in Toulouse was quickly defended by the Moroccan federation, which categorically denied these accusations and praised his exemplary behaviour.

"Following the publication of an article by one of the websites which touches on the person and behavior of the Moroccan international, Zakaria Aboukhlal, during his participation with the national team in the Qatar 2022 World Cup, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation categorically denies there false accusations against him in this article where the player showed exemplary behaviour alongside his colleagues in order to obtain honourable results for the national team in this competition,” said the FRMF in statement.

“The Royal Moroccan Football Federation expresses its firm condemnation of the attacks made by this site to the person and behaviour of the player, and through him, like the national team with all its activities, it also confirms that will use legal measures to protect members of the national football team and refute any false allegations affecting their behaviour or personal lives in the exercise of their national functions," it added.

Toulouse Football Club also defended its player and condemned Achkayen’s accusations.

“Toulouse Football Club condemns the accusations made by a website against our player Zakaria Aboukhlal and joins forces with the Moroccan Football Federation to ensure its full support and confidence in our player,” tweeted Toulouse FC.

“The Club condemns the false, unfounded and degrading accusations made by this website, which damage the image of our player, and reserves the right to use all the means available to defend Zakaria’s image and integrity,” it added.

Achkayen’s article sparked a wide condemnation of the news website on social media and strong support for Aboukhlal.

“Total support for Zakaria Aboukhlal, who faces a campaign of demonization from shameful media and hateful pseudo-journalists like Tijini and his ilk...,” tweeted Kalima.

Achkayen is owned by Mohammed TIjjini, a former host of the flagship "Daïf Al Oula" programme of the Al Oula TV channel, a bimonthly programme of political debate.