World Cup: Why did Achraf Hakimi confront Gianni Infantino after Morocco 1-2 Croatia?

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·18 December 2022

World Cup: Why did Achraf Hakimi confront Gianni Infantino after Morocco 1-2 Croatia?

Achraf Hakimi was fuming as Morocco Croatia in their World Cup third place match on Saturday afternoon.

Croatia took an early lead through Josko Gvardiol, only for Achraf Dari to equalise almost immediately after the restart.

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The European side re-took the lead just before half-time courtesy of Mislav Orsic’s screamer.

That proved to be the winner as Croatia held on to win 2-1.

Hakimi fumes at FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, after Morocco 1-2 Croatia

Hakimi vented his frustration at the referee, Abdulrahman Al-Jassim, throughout the second half.

He even did his best Louis van Gaal impression in front of the referee after being denied a penalty.

He confronted the officials after the match and he was still fuming as he made his way off the pitch.

And it has also been reported that he confronted FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, in the tunnel after the game.

TV presenter Tom Egbers told NOS, per Goal. “He stood in front of Infantino, less than five centimetres. With a raised voice, he ranted to Infantino about the referee. It was painful.”

It has been claimed that FIFA were keen to ensure that the footage did not spread and told those that captured the moment to delete the footage.

SVT Sports reporter Johan Kucukaslan said, per Goal: “They wanted us to delete the images. It is clear that these are embarrassing scenes for them, and it is a bit naive of them to think that a dozen journalists should not report on this when we witness it happening.”

Achraf Hakimi: I apologised to Gianni Infantino

Hakimi spoke to the media when he calmed down and revealed he had apologised to Infantino for his outburst.

“Nothing happened. I was angry after the end of the match. I went to talk to him, and I apologised for the words I said to him. He is my friend and I respect him a lot, so nothing happened,” he said, per Goal.