The Moroccan Football Federation announced yesterday that they have cancelled the Atlas Lions’ planned friendly with Iran, which was set to take place on April 1 in Barcelona.
The move comes after a diplomatic row between the two nations that was sparked when Iranian politician Ali Akbar Nateq-Nouri reportedly questioned Bahrain’s sovereignty by implying it was an Iranian province.
The remarks heightened tensions between Shiite Iran and much of the Sunni Muslim world, with Morocco taking the most offence to the declaration.
While Iran has since issued a statement claiming Nateq-Nouri’s was misunderstood, the damage had already been done. Morocco recalled their Iranian envoy and the Moroccan Football Federation, unsurprisingly, backed out of the proposed friendly.
The Atlas Lions have wasted no time in finding a new sparring partner. They will take on 2010 African Nations Cup hosts Angola on March 31 in Portugal. The purpose of the clash is to prepare for their crucial World Cup qualifier versus the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, which takes place two months later.
The Palancas Negras (Black Antelopes) should provide a stiff test for the Roger Lemerre’s side, despite having infamously crashed out of the early stages of World Cup qualifying this past November.