London mayor Sadiq Khan hails Morocco football team despite France World Cup defeat
London mayor Sadiq Khan hails Morocco football team despite France World Cup defeat
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said after Morocco lost 2–0 to France on Wednesday that the Atlas Lions 'didn't win the World Cup, but won our hearts'.
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Sadiq Khan attached several photos to his post hailing Morocco, including one where they posed for a camera with the Palestinian flag on display [Hollie Adams/Getty-archive]
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan hailed the Morocco football team despite their 2–0 loss to France in the Qatar World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday evening.
The British Labour Party politician wrote on Instagram after the match: "Didn't win the World Cup, but won our hearts. Thank you Morocco!"
He attached several photos to his post, including one showing the Atlas Lions posing for a camera with the Palestinian flag on display.
The Morocco team brought the Palestinian flag onto the pitch during celebrations at the World Cup, including after they beat Portugal 1–0 in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
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Note: Go to the final (fifth) photo attached by Khan to see Morocco posing with the Palestinian flag on display.
The Qatari edition of the World Cup has seen widespread solidarity with Palestine, including from fans who have snubbed Israeli journalists.
Ahead of Morocco's semi-final clash with France, Khan tweeted on Tuesday: "Wouldn't an Argentina v Morocco final be fantastic?"
After Morocco defeated Portugal on Saturday, the mayor posted on Facebook: "History made in a victory for hope and hard work.
"The first-ever African country to reach the World Cup semi-final!
"The fairytale continues."
Morocco was the first Arab and African nation to make the semi-finals.
They will now face Croatia in the battle for third place on Saturday, while France advance to Sunday's final, where they will compete with Argentina for football's greatest prize.
Les Bleus hope to deny Messi his first World Cup title in what will be his final cap at any edition of the tournament.
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