Wydad players rally behind Morocco star Hakim Ziyech amid dispute with club president

Several Wydad Athletic Club players have publicly shown their support for Moroccan international Hakim Ziyech after the forward was left out of the squad for a friendly against Renaissance Zemamra.

The dispute has intensified after Ziyech revealed on social media that he was prevented from featuring in the match and was subsequently excluded from the squad that travelled to Agadir for a training camp.

The development has prompted a show of solidarity from inside the Wydad dressing room, with teammates making their support for the Morocco star public.

Wydad teammates back Ziyech

Among those to express their support were Aymane El Wafi and Walid Nassi, who used Instagram stories to post messages backing their teammate.

Their actions highlight the support Ziyech continues to enjoy among members of the Wydad squad as tensions surrounding his situation at the Casablanca club grow.

The latest disagreement followed an incident during preparations for the friendly against Renaissance Zemamra.

Ziyech said he had begun warming up normally with the intention of playing before being instructed to leave the warm-up area and not take part in the match.

Tensions with coach and president

The Morocco international reportedly sought an explanation for the decision and subsequently spoke with Portuguese coach Paulo Sergio.

The conversation became tense, while Ziyech was also left out of the squad that travelled to Agadir for the club’s training camp.

He then contacted Wydad president Ibrahim Al-Asri to ask why he had been excluded.

According to the available information, Al-Asri told Ziyech that the decision had been taken by the technical staff rather than the club’s management. The player later resumed his discussion with Sergio.

Contract dispute adds to tensions

The disagreement comes amid an ongoing dispute over the financial terms of Ziyech’s contract.

Wydad’s president has reportedly sought to revise the player’s salary as the club attempts to reduce the financial pressure on its budget.

Ziyech has rejected the proposal and maintained that the club should honour the terms of his existing contract.

Despite the disagreement, the former Morocco international is understood to want to continue his spell with Wydad and is not currently considering leaving the club.

Ziyech sends message to Wydad fans

Ziyech has also addressed Wydad supporters directly on social media, questioning the circumstances surrounding his omission from the friendly and the trip to Agadir.

“Go and ask your president why I was prevented from playing and not traveling to Agadir?”,

He then added:

“Perhaps he will also lie about that incident”

The public backing from his Wydad teammates adds another dimension to the dispute, with the situation surrounding one of Morocco’s most recognisable footballers now becoming increasingly difficult for the club to contain.