Spanish team FC Sevilla has made history by winning their sixth Europa League cup, a record staggering 6 times, on Friday after beating FC Inter with a thrilling final result of 3-2, in Cologne stadium in Germany.
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To celebrate the moment, Munir El Haddadi, of Rif origins, who took part in second half of the game, has made a special appearance by carrying the Amazigh flag during the celebration to represent and promote his identity and culture.
A gesture that sparked controversy in Morocco and angered many of so called ‘Moroccan nationalists’ including various media, who described the act as; “an incomprehensible attitude which cannot, under any circumstances, be accepted or forgiven.”
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El haddadi’s behavior has made headline news on most Moroccan news websites such Hibapress.com, who commented that, “as Moroccans, we were very proud and honored that three of our own were crowned European champions of Europe league cup, but what ruined our joy is this “incomprehensible attitude” by Munir El Haddadi who preferred to brandish the Amazigh flag instead of Morocco one, to celebrate the victory.”
Same site added that, “Munir El Haddadi is free to show pride to any symbols he wants, however, he should have at least a little respect for the birth country of his both parents “.
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Hiba Press concluded their article that the Rif footballer “had the obvious opportunity to earn the heart of Moroccan public, after he chose to play for Spain national team over Morocco, he may have succeeded in the Rif region or Amazigh part but not all Moroccans are Amazigh … Too bad. “.
President of Morocco’s Royal Football Federation, Fouzi Lekjaa, has congratulated the other two Moroccan who play for the Andalusian team Yassine Bounou and Youssef En-nesery, however, he never mentioned a word about Munir El Haddadi.
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On the other side, many Amazigh activists as well as several Amazigh media have cherished and loved the nice gesture by Munir;
Munir El haddadi celebrating the Europa league cup win with an #Amazigh flag. pic.twitter.com/uiQRk5cL3M
— Zouhir • ⵣⵓⵁⵉⵔ (@zi_Arrif) August 21, 2020
Munir El Haddadi, l’ancien joueur du Barcelone et actuellement du FC Séville fête la victoire de son équipe à la finale de l'Europa league avec le drapeau amazigh. pic.twitter.com/estOhNt68P
— Berbère Télévision (@BerbereTV) August 21, 2020
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While the Spanish news media were focused to know and inform their readers on the origins of the flag and what does it mean;
Azul, verde y amarilla son los colores de la bandera (no la roja y verde de Marruecos) con la que el sevillista Munir el Haddadi festeja la Liga Europa, pero…
— EFE Deportes (@EFEdeportes) August 22, 2020
¿Cuál es el origen y qué significado tiene esa bandera?
👉https://t.co/8kSwn4fryT #UEL #UELfinal
📸 Ina Fassbender pic.twitter.com/IFvyrMNTdr
