Dutch journalist calls for Morocco to pay compensation for Dutch-trained players after Oufkir switch

A Dutch sports journalist has called for Morocco to compensate the Netherlands for developing young footballers who eventually choose to represent the Atlas Lions, following Ayoub Oufkir’s decision to switch his international allegiance.

Mike Verweij made the proposal during De Telegraaf’s Kick-off podcast, where he discussed the growing number of Moroccan-Dutch players opting to represent Morocco instead of the Netherlands.

The suggestion sparked disagreement with fellow journalist Valentijn Driessen, who argued that footballers should be free to choose which country they represent.

Oufkir, a 20-year-old winger at AZ Alkmaar, recently received his first senior call-up to the Moroccan national team despite previously representing the Netherlands at several youth levels.

His decision has prompted debate in the Netherlands about the country’s investment in developing young players who eventually pursue international careers elsewhere.

Verweij wants FIFA or KNVB to introduce compensation system

Verweij believes countries that invest in developing young footballers should receive financial compensation when those players decide to represent another national team.

“I think FIFA or the KNVB should take action,” Verweij said during the podcast, according to Dutch outlet VoetbalPrimeur.

He argued that several Moroccan-Dutch footballers benefit from the Netherlands’ youth development system before eventually choosing to represent Morocco.

The journalist proposed a system that would require national football associations to compensate countries responsible for developing players, with payments determined by their international appearances.

His argument centres on the financial and developmental resources invested by Dutch clubs and the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) in nurturing young talents.

However, such a proposal would represent a departure from FIFA’s existing international eligibility regulations, which allow players to change national associations under specific conditions without requiring financial compensation.

Driessen defends players’ right to choose

Driessen disagreed with his colleague’s suggestion, insisting that national associations should not be treated like professional clubs, where training compensation mechanisms already exist.

“I think that payment system goes too far,” he responded.

He maintained that footballers should have the freedom to decide which country they want to represent, just as national associations have the right to determine which players they select.

“The boy simply has the freedom to choose. Just as the KNVB also had the freedom to select him or not,” Driessen said.

Despite opposing the compensation proposal, Driessen expressed disappointment with Oufkir’s decision to represent Morocco, believing the winger could have strengthened the Netherlands’ senior national team.

He also praised the youngster’s contribution to Jong Oranje’s qualification for the European Under-21 Championship play-offs, describing him as a small but determined player capable of competing at a high level.

Oufkir prepares for Morocco debut

Born in Rotterdam, Oufkir was part of the Netherlands squad that won the 2025 European Under-19 Championship before establishing himself in the Under-21 team.

He featured in the Netherlands’ October qualifying matches but will now miss their upcoming European Championship play-off against Denmark following his decision to switch allegiance.

The KNVB had attempted to convince the winger to remain with the Netherlands, with technical director Nigel de Jong and Under-21 coach Michael Reiziger holding discussions with him before his final decision.

De Jong subsequently expressed disappointment but acknowledged that choosing between two countries was a personal decision that the federation had to respect.

Oufkir will now have the opportunity to make his senior international debut for Morocco during the November Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Niger, scheduled for November 13 and 17.

His decision adds to the growing number of dual-nationality footballers choosing to represent Morocco, strengthening the North African country’s talent pool with players developed in European football systems.