Football fans are calling for the ouster of Morocco’s national coach after the team was eliminated from CAN 2012.

By Naoufel Cherkaoui for Magharebia in Rabat – 02/02/12

[AFP/Issouf Sanogo] The future of Morocco coach Eric Gerets remains uncertain after the national team was knocked out of CAN 2012.

Morocco’s 1-0 victory over Niger on Tuesday (January 31st) at the 2012 African Cup of Nations (CAN) did not lessen the resentment of fans for their team’s failure to qualify for the next round of competition. Coupled with opaque financial deals, football supporters in the kingdom are demanding action.

The Atlas Lions lost to Tunisia 1-2 in the Group C opener and were later knocked out of the tournament after a 2-3 loss to Gabon. Many specialists blamed the defeats on Belgian coach Eric Gerets, with some calling for his departure.

Furthermore, the National Commission for the Protection of Public Money urged the formation of a fact-finding committee on the surprise elimination of the Moroccan team as well as a financial audit of the football league. The salary of Gerets has remained undisclosed.

In a statement, the commission called for “publishing the league’s secret financial documents before the public along with the contracts with the national team coaches, foremost among them national coach Eric Gerets, and disclosure of the brokers and Moroccan officials who were behind contracting with the coach with a monthly salary and unreal benefits dispersed in hard currency from public money”.

Responding to the demands, Sports Minister Mohamed Ouzzine said Gerets was not paid with public funds. Rather, his salary was paid for by the league.

“There is a secret clause in the contract that joins the football league and Gerets by which the financial value of the salary cannot be disclosed, otherwise Morocco will incur penalties by FIFA that may reach the extent of preventing it from participating,” the minister said.

Former Morocco coach Badou Zaki placed responsibility for the CAN defeat on Gerets, saying he “erred in choosing the players, in the method of preparation, in dealing with the games and even in recruitment of the players who travelled with him to Gabon, as well as his not inviting the players who could have offered an addition to the national team because they are ready at the level of competitiveness”.

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Gerets said he would “return to Morocco to face the other side of the public and Moroccan people” who he said once welcomed him with “unprecedented warmth”.

“I understand their reaction and anger. Everyone had high hopes for this team in this tournament, but we made individual mistakes and missed real opportunities, and we paid dearly,” he said.

He added, “Our departure is disastrous and disappointing, we are well aware. But at least there is great satisfaction for some of the players who will shape the future. We must not forget that most of the players are taking part in this continental marriage for the first time in their football career, and I think today they gave clear indications of their ability to restore balance and continue to work together to achieve the goals and wishes of the Moroccan public and officials.”

Striker Younes Belhanda, who scored the winning goal against Niger, said the situation shouldn’t be exaggerated because the team was young and it was the first tournament for many of the players. He added that the team was sorry and disappointed at the elimination but was looking forward to next year’s competition in South Africa.