by HyperInfo
Chelsea's Hakim Ziyech has retired from international duty, six weeks after being left out of the Moroccan squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Ziyech, 28, has not been called up to the international team since June after "refusing to work" for the club, according to manager Vahid Halihodzic.
Ziyech said: “Obviously I understand them but I will not return to the national team.
“Yes, it is my final decision. Everything is clear to me how things are going there, it is clear to me and I am focused on what I am doing and that it is currently in my club.
“Yeah, who doesn't do it but in the end, it's a decision he makes and you have to respect it but on the other hand if all the lies go along with it, it's clear to me.
“As I said before I will not return to the national team. I understand and feel sorry for them. ”
Speaking in June, Halihodzic said: “His behaviour in the last two games, especially in the last one, was not that of a national team player who should be a good role model.
“He arrived late and after that, he refused to even work. There was no need to discuss it afterwards, as the coach has the answer.
“For me, the national team is above all, no one can hold it.
“A player who refuses to play a game that is considered to be a friendly match due to injury. The medical staff repeatedly examined him and said that he could not play.
"He refused to warm up for the second time because he was disappointed with his position.
“For me, this kind of behaviour is unacceptable. You cannot cheat with a national team. You are 100 per cent there or not. I will not tolerate it. ”
Ziyech has won 41 games for Morocco, scoring 17 goals.
(Photo: Oliver Weiken / Getty Images affiliate)
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