More than 1,000 people have died in an earthquake in Morocco. The national football association then canceled the upcoming international matches, and one player called for unity.
“We are experiencing a difficult moment for our compatriots. It is time to help each other to save as many lives as possible”wrote national player Achraf Hakimi on Instagram. The former BVB professional and current player of Paris Saint Germain added: “My condolences go out to all those who have lost someone they love.”
The national football association FRMF canceled a planned African Cup qualifying match against Liberia in Agadir; the game will be rescheduled later. It is not known whether the friendly match against Burkina Faso scheduled for Tuesday will take place. Morocco’s national team donated blood and called on the population to do the same. “Donating blood is everyone’s responsibility to save as many people’s lives as possible. Your help is essential,” said an Instagram post.
Bayern Munich’s Noussair Mazraoui was called up for the games against Liberia and Burkina Faso. He wrote on Instagram: “Pray for Morocco”.
Strongest earthquake ever recorded in Morocco
According to various measurements, the earthquake had a magnitude of 6.8 to 6.9 and caused severe damage in large parts of the country. The epicenter was about 72 kilometers southwest of Marrakech in the sparsely populated Atlas Mountains. Seismologist Frederik Tilmann from the German Georesearch Center said in the Tagesschau that it was the strongest earthquake measured in Morocco to date.
The images of destruction range from the Atlas Mountains to the famous old town of Marrakesh. Famous cultural monuments were also damaged there.
Minute of silence at UEFA and Spain games
Numerous associations and clubs expressed their condolences. The European Football Union (UEFA) announced a minute’s silence for the victims. From Sunday to September 21st, the minutes of silence will be held in all international matches and club competitions. This also applies to the game between Germany and France on Tuesday (September 12, 2023/9 p.m., live on Erste). There will also be minutes of silence during the first group games in the European Cup.
The Spanish association RFEF ordered minutes of mourning in the second division this weekend. In La Liga, the first Spanish league, there will also be a minute’s silence during games next weekend after the international break.
Morocco wants to host the 2030 men’s World Cup
Morocco, together with Spain and Portugal, is currently pushing forward a joint bid to host the 2030 Men’s World Cup. The application is considered favored because it can largely rely on votes from Europe and Africa. Competition is a joint application from South America with Uruguay, Argentina, Chile and Paraguay.
In the vote in the FIFA Congress planned for the third quarter of 2024, the 211 associations, minus the associations involved in the applications, will vote on the award. Morocco has been trying to host the World Cup for years. Morocco already failed in the old procurement process in the former FIFA Executive Committee in 1994, 1998, 2006 and 2010. In the new process, Morocco lost its bid for the 2026 World Cup to the USA, Mexico and Canada.
The team caused a lot of enthusiasm in the Arab world and Africa at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Morocco was the first African team to reach the semi-finals and only lost there against France (0-2). The game for third place was lost against Croatia (1:2).