Bekijk volle/desktop versie : Taarabt included in Morocco Squad



29-01-2009, 16:56
(MTNfootball.com) Teenage Tottenham Hotspur prodigy Adel Taarabt has been included in Morocco’s squad for next month’s friendly against the Czech Republic in Casablanca, despite previously having turned down the country.

The 19-year-old signed by Spurs for 3,5-million Euros from French club Racing Lens 18 months ago, was born in France and has represented them at youth level.

He turned down an opportunity to feature for Morocco’s U23 side at the last Olympic games, but was named in an expanded 32-man squad for the friendly international on February 11.

The game is Morocco’s final warm-up before the final phase of the African qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup finals begins in late March.

Taarabt would need FIFA permission to change his national status, which he is entitled to do before the age of 21 as long as he has not won a full international cap for France.

Morocco coach Roger Lemerre has again named Adil Rami of Lille, despite his previous refusal to play for Morocco.

There is also a first call-up for Dutch-born Brahim Zaari, the 19-year-old goalkeeper from FC Den Bosch.