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Chelsea's Hakim Ziyech has been ruthlessly excluded from Morocco's latest squad because he held the group 'hostage' by refusing to play in a friendly, claims boss Vahid Halilhodzic.

Ziyech, 28, was a stunning omission for this latest international break given he is Morocco's most accomplished footballer at this time having just won the Champions League with Chelsea. 

The winger posted a laughing emoji sarcastically on Instagram following his snub and now boss Halilhodzic has confirmed a bust-up with his star player. 

'His behaviour in the last two matches, especially the last one, was not that of a national team player who as a leader in the team has to be positive role model,' Halilhodzic said, as per The New Arab. 

'He arrived late and after that he even refused to work. There was no point in discussing it afterwards, as a coach the answer is right there to see. 

'For me, the national team is above everything, nobody can hold it hostage.'

The 'unacceptable behaviour' that is referred to is believed to date back to Ziyech's conduct when called up for friendlies back home in Morocco against Ghana and Burkina Faso in June.