Hakim Ziyech hits out at Morocco "misinformation" as he confirms international retirement

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Chelsea forward Hakim Ziyech has confirmed that he has retired from international football - accusing the Moroccan Football Federation of spreading “misinformation” about his commitment.

The row between the 28-year-old and Morocco’s national team has been ongoing for almost a year, after the last of his 40 caps for the Atlas Lions in June 2021 in a 1-0 win over Burkina Faso.

Ziyech played 90 minutes in that encounter, but drew ire from manager Vahid Hallihodzic, accusing the Blues star of refusing to work and suggesting he did not take international duty seriously.

He said at the time: "His behaviour in the last two matches, especially the last one, was not that of a national team player who, as a leader in the team, must be a positive role model.

“He arrived late and after that, he even refused to work. There was no point in discussing it afterwards, as a coach the answer is right there to see."

"He doesn't want to train, doesn't want to play," he said of Ziyech. "He doesn't take it seriously. I'm not going to beg him to come back.

"After the [Afcon] tournament three years ago, he was the most criticised. He was booed. You mustn't forget that."

The Bosnian coach subsequently left Ziyech out of the Morocco side which reached the knockout stages of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations.

In the aftermath of the tournament Ziyech had hinted that he would call time on his international