Morocco national team coach Mohamed Ouahbi has publicly defended defender Achraf Hakimi after the player was repeatedly booed by the crowd at Gillette Stadium in Boston during a 2026 World Cup match. The crowd was largely supportive of Scotland, Morocco's opponent in the group stage.
According to reports from the match, Hakimi was jeered every time he touched the ball. Ouahbi stated that Hakimi remained 'very serene' despite the hostile atmosphere. The coach emphasized the player's professionalism and focus on the game.
Hakimi, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain, was also in the news earlier that day for a separate legal matter. He was referred to trial on rape charges in France, a case he has consistently denied. The booing from the crowd was not directly related to the legal proceedings but appeared to be part of the general support for Scotland.
Ouahbi's comments aimed to shield his player from the negative attention and rally support for the team as they continue their World Cup campaign.
