Diop debut for Morocco adds latest twist in Senegal post-AFCON dispute

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.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Senegal parade AFCON trophy, despite title being awarded to Moroccolist 2 of 4Tiger Woods charged with DUI after rollover crash in Floridalist 3 of 4Iran’s football team honours children killed in Minab school airstrikelist 4 of 4Oyarzabal double seals Spain win against Serbia in World Cup warm-upend of listDiop, 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.Diop had talks with Morocco’s new coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, and Moroccan Federation President Fouzi Lekjaa.“They explained their vision to me, and I ⁠was taken in with open arms by a cheerful group of players ⁠with a great atmosphere in the camp,” he said.The North Africans have a track record of assiduously courting players with links to the country who they believe can improve their national team, but this is the first tug-of-war over player loyalty ⁠with another African country they have won.