MOROCCAN football has been thrown into turmoil less than two weeks before the start of the African Cup of Nations, following the resignation of two top members of the federation. Moroccan Football Federation Vice-President Mohamed Aouzal and Secretary-General Ahmed Ammour have stepped down, just a few days after the sacking of French coach Philippe Troussier. The duo had come in for severe media criticism for firing Troussier two months after his appointment. "Me and Ammour are quite indignant by the press remarks which hurt our dignity and caused our frustrations. We sent our resignation to the federation's president," Aouzal said in a news conference. He accused the press of misleading the public about how much money was being paid to the Frenchman. "The press has been talking of $10 million paid to Troussier in two months," he said. We respect the press and its freedom but not such slippage in throwing such figures at the public." Ammour dismissed media reports suggesting Troussier had been paid a large sum of money in compensation when his contract was terminated. "Mr Troussier was a gentleman. He only took the salary for the two months he worked and the related benefits which totalled $50,000," he said. "[Troussier] wanted to blow up the federation budget by multiplying the hiring of staff, including a French doctor. "We cannot accept that and we put an end to his contract," Ammour added. Troussier, who guided Japan to the second round of the 2002 World Cup finals and to the Asian Champion title in 2000, was replaced by Mohamed Fakhir. Fakhir expressed his frustration at being given such a short space of time to prepare the squad for the Nations Cup, which starts in Egypt on 20 January. "I have taken over the national side with the handicap of preparing a team only two weeks before such a prestigious competition," said Fakhir. "I am going to try and sort this problem out by consulting (former national coach) Badou Zaki," added Fakhir, who coached FAR Rabat to the African Confederation Cup title in November. Morocco have a tough task at the Nations Cup, having being drawn in Group A along with hosts Egypt, Libya and World Cup finalists Ivory Coast.
