Before this Saturday’s match between France and Morocco, Mohamed El-Khatib, Fatéma Hal, Rachid Benzine and Bouchra Jarrar tell “Liberation” how they are shared between the two countries.
Mohamed El-Khatib, dramaturgist
“Morocco, which will never be part of the G7, suddenly becomes part of the G4”
“From a political and intimate point of view, it is exhilarating. Morocco, which will never be part of the G7, is suddenly part of the G4… Beyond football, there is a symbolic significance. While refusing to be assigned to an identity, the historical and social context pushes me to wish victory for Morocco. We hear too much the air of “it’s already good for Morocco to be in the semi-finals”, and this is at best a form of paternalism, at worst an unconscious that integrates domination, as if we were to rejoice to be there. It is necessary to get out of the colonial-tourist unconscious which makes Moroccans “sympathetic” players. At the same time, we also hear the little right-handed music which, in France, takes care during the quarter-finals to salute Lloris and Giroud, without mentioning Tchouaméni…
“If France were world champions, it wouldn’t change anything. In 1998, there was the black-white-beur myth and, seven years later, the riots in the suburbs reminded us of reality. The social issue has still not been addressed. A victory for Morocco would be a good start and could act as a reparation, a sort of outstretched hand in future Franco-Maghreb relations. J.Lu.
Fatéma Hal, chef
“Like cooking, football is one of the last links to unite humanity”
“Something incredible is happening with this World Cup: I usually hate it, but this time I’m watching and getting caught up in the game! I say to myself: there is something else, all the same, behind this sport. And I vibrate. First, for us Moroccans in France, we are very uncomfortable: I love France as much as Morocco, Morocco as much as France, and this has always been clear. And there, I fall into the trap of emotion. I was in Marrakech during qualifying, you had to see how happy people were! People are so happy that I let myself go to that happiness. I want this hope to continue and for an African team to win.
“I have always thought that cooking was the last strong link to unite humanity, but so is football. If you had seen the jubilation in Marrakech, it was even crazier than for Independence Day! People came on foot from the villages, they walked 20 kilometers to celebrate. This match is the hope of an entire continent.” M.-E.L.
Rachid Benzine, Islamologist
“We remain above all a family, and I refuse to get angry with a part of myself”
“I was just passing through Morocco, but I stayed here to experience the semi-final. It is an exceptional moment. This match, in my eyes, reflects the friendship between Kylian Mbappé and Achraf Hakimi. Two friends who compete and who will still be friends at the end of the match.
“Obviously I would like Morocco to win to go down in history and we French have already won two titles. Morocco is exceptional at this level, isn’t it? I will be happy at the end of the game, that’s for sure. It doesn’t matter the result. We remain above all a family – who love each other dearly and sometimes hate each other – and I refuse to get angry with a part of myself. The symbol of this match is the link. That’s why I’m happy to live it. This match is also an answer to all those who refuse to believe that we can be multiple without asking the question of loyalty. We are all hybrid beings.” R.L.
Bouchra Jarrar, artistic director and photographer
“The exchanges between Achraf Hakimi and Kylian MBappé are delicious”
“I only watch football during big matches, when the enthusiasm starts to rise. I was in Marrakech on the day of Morocco’s qualification against Belgium, and I understood the victory at the party that won over the whole city, these girls and these boys together in the street… It was wonderful. I saw Portugal-Morocco then England-France at home, near Arles, with my mother. The first match, we were for Morocco, the second for France, quite simply.
“I appreciate that Morocco’s quality of play is underlined, and that Africa is recognized at this level. Because it is an entire continent which is recognized in the wake of the country. I also like the way the two teams behave towards each other, the mutual respect. The exchanges between Achraf Hakimi and Kyllian Mbappé, it’s delicious… The outcome of the match will be positive in my eyes anyway. France have a magnificent team, but a victory for Morocco would be great. I am thinking in particular of the youth of this country, and of Africa.” S.Ch.