"The national team staff and I are all in solidarity with Mr. Lekjaa, who is facing a media smear campaign," he said at the press conference dedicated to the presentation of the list of players selected for the friendly matches against Brazil and Peru.

"Attacking the president of the FRMF is tantamount to attacking the national team and Moroccan football," said Regragui, who stressed Lekjaa's "dedication" and "passion" for Moroccan football.

"Mr. Lekjaa is in the best position to accept criticism, but when there are insults and a smear campaign like that of the last few days against a man who has done a lot for Moroccan football, we have to say stop," said the national coach.

He further recalled "the evolution of Moroccan football thanks to the work done by Mr. Lekjaa, at the level of the national championship, the infrastructure, the national team and the Moroccan clubs that dominate African football."

"Criticizing is good, but being honest is even better," he added, saying that those who launched this campaign are not real football fans.