Taarabt Controversy: Morocco Coach Badou Zaki Slams Midfielder Over Training Camp Snub
Adel Taarabt is once again at the centre of controversy after denying he received an invitation to join Morocco’s national team training camp in Portugal. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), however, insists otherwise.
According to official documents, a fax was sent on May 5 to the AC Milan player, inviting him to join the national squad for the training camp. Despite this, Taarabt claimed in an interview that no such invitation had reached him.
Morocco’s head coach, Badou Zaki, was quick to set the record straight. In an interview, the former goalkeeper strongly criticised Taarabt’s attitude, branding the player’s claims as dishonest.
“Taarabt’s statements are irresponsible. He simply lied,” Zaki said. “We contacted him everywhere — we even called his family. In the end, he told us he had changed his phone number. Yet, he found time to call everyone else except me.”
Zaki, newly appointed to lead the Atlas Lions, made it clear that such behavior has no place under his leadership.
“He says he’s an AC Milan player and should be treated differently. I say the national team is far more important than AC Milan or Italy. Anyone who wants to be part of our project is welcome. But anyone seeking preferential treatment can look elsewhere,” Zaki warned.
This episode adds to a string of disciplinary concerns that have followed Taarabt throughout his career, both at club and international level. His absence from the Portugal camp comes at a time when Zaki is attempting to rebuild and unify the squad ahead of crucial fixtures.
The coach’s firm stance sends a clear message: no player is bigger than the national team.
