Hakimi seated for political reasons. He is not playing in the Champions League in Israel because of his support for Palestine

Achraf Hakimi is an excellent footballer who easily belongs in the starting line-up of PSG. He would have been in it in the second round of the Champions League group stage if he had not publicly expressed his support for Palestine.

Out of PSG’s nine competitive games in the new season, Hakimi has started in the starting line-up on eight occasions. He did not play only once in the league against Toulouse when he was spared.

He would have no problem playing in the Champions League and has been one of the team’s best players since last season. But against Maccabi Haifa he was only on the substitutes’ bench.

According to the French press, there are political reasons for this decision. In June 2021, the French Super Cup will be played in Israel. On this occasion, the Moroccan representative expressed his support for Palestine on social media.

“Freedom to Palestine, ” Hakimi wrote on Twitter. This, of course, is a big issue in Israel because of the long-running conflict between the two countries.

Israeli fans are known for their zeal, and on two other occasions when Hakimi has performed in their country, they have booed him heavily. Moreover, the PSG defender has received strong threats, to the point where the Parisian champion even provided him with a personal bodyguard during this year’s Super Cup in Tel Aviv.

For these reasons too, coach Christopher Galtier and the management decided not to field Hakimi.

Source: RMC Sport