Morocco midfielder Adel Taarabt (Photo: Reuters)
Morocco coach Badou Zaki has lashed out at Captain Adel Taarabt for not responding to his invitation to join the team for their upcoming matches.
"I called Taarabt several times with no answer. I left messages; so did my assistants. He didn't even answer calls from officials from the Moroccan federation," he told a press conference on Friday.
"It is useless to try to include a player who doesn't want to be part of this project and who thinks he can show up whenever he wants.
"I don't want to witness bad scenarios all over again in the national team. It is a total lack of respect," he concluded.
Zaki announced a 30-man squad for the team’s next three friendly games –against Mozambique on 23 May, Angola on 28 May and Russia on 6 June.
Despite his skill, Taarabt has a history of failing to show commitment to the Atlas Lions over the years.
It seems that he is busy now trying to secure a permanent move to AC Milan where he has spent the past season on loan from Crystal Palace. The Italian giants are willing to take the 7 million euro buy-out option but are negotiating the details of payment.
Taarabt, 24, is expected to sign a 4-year contract at Milan.
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