Diop debut for Morocco adds latest twist in Senegal post-AFCON dispute
Al Jazeera
Issa Diop makes Morocco debut only hours after receiving clearance and turning down Senegal advances.
Amid the controversy over Senegal being stripped of the Africa Cup of Nations title and Morocco being declared winners, the international debut of Issa Diop proved something of an irony as well as a public relations coup.
The Fulham defender was born in France and played for the country at the Under-21 level, but on Thursday had his application to switch nationality to Morocco approved by the world football governing body, FIFA, and was immediately drafted into the starting lineup for Friday night’s 1-1 draw against Ecuador in Madrid.
Diop, whose father is Senegalese and mother from Morocco, had previously rejected overtures from both countries to play for them while holding out hope he might represent France.
The 29-year-old said several times he wanted to play for Les Bleus, but with no call-up from France coach, Didier Deschamps, he has now taken up the opportunity to possibly play at the World Cup for Morocco.
“I was very happy to play in a team with a lot of good players, and I think I’ve made a good choice,” Diop said after Friday’s match.
US golfer arrested in relation to rollover crash in Florida that did not cause any significant injuries.
Transport workers call on Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr to focus on price caps, reining in oil companies as fuel cost spirals.
Tensions continue to rise with Iran warning a ‘heavy price’ will be paid after Israeli attacks on nuclear and industrial sites.
US President Donald Trump claimed Tehran is seeking a deal and praised the strength of the the US military.
US secretary of state Marco Rubio told reporters that the US is seeking to conclude the war in a matter of weeks.
Uruguay hold England at Wembley, Germany defeat Switzerland, and Netherlands beat Norway in pre-World Cup friendlies.
Israeli air strikes on Lebanon forced 29-year-old Hawraa Houmani to flee her village when she was nine months pregnant.