Youssouf Hadji has broken his silence about his challenging experience in Qatar after being transferred from Al-Arabi to Elazigspor in Turkey. The striker, formerly with Rennes, revealed the hardships he faced during his time in Qatar, lasting over three months.
“Suddenly, I found myself excluded from the team, and then my salary stopped. When I sought explanations, initially, I was assured that things would improve. However, I was quickly ignored. Simultaneously, missing a training session was not an option due to the risk of professional misconduct. It’s disheartening when they have the right to disregard a contract and a person,” Hadji shared with L’Equipe.
The Moroccan international highlighted the pressure he endured: “The leaders insisted I sign a document relinquishing my rights, which I refused. These pressures, never physical but always psychological – not necessarily a better situation – escalated when I, through my lawyer, lodged a complaint with FIFA. I faced blackmail, with threats that continuing my action would result in the denial of my exit visa from Qatar.”
This testimony raises concerns about Qatar’s image, particularly amidst the ongoing criticisms surrounding the organization of the 2022 World Cup.