Merouane Zemmama
Encyclopedia
Merouane Zemmama is a Moroccan
football
player who currently plays for English Championship club Middlesbrough
. Zemmama represented Morocco at the 2004 Summer Olympics
and was first capped at full international level in 2008.
in 2003.
under freedom of contract in August 2006. A diminutive playmaker, Zemmama made his debut for Hibernian on 12 August 2006 in a 0–0 draw at Inverness
. He was hailed by manager
Tony Mowbray
as a new Russell Latapy
and his early performances excited the Hibernian fans. Zemmama scored his first goal for Hibs in a 2–2 draw with Edinburgh derby
rivals Hearts
on 15 October 2006.
Zemmama was part of the team that won the 2007 Scottish League Cup Final
and featured significantly in both the 2006–07
and 2007–08
seasons. During the later stages of the 2007–08 season, Zemmama broke a bone in his foot after turning awkwardly during training. This injury kept him out of the rest of the season and the start of the following season
.
. Raja stated that the player had signed a contract with them until 2009, which would have precluded him from signing a contract with Hibernian. Rod Petrie
refuted the claim that Zemmama had a contract with Raja.
The Moroccan Football Federation
announced on August 30 that they had suspended the player pending an investigation into the transfer. FIFA
stated that the player could continue to be selected for Hibs during the investigation. FIFA then stated that the main allegation – that the international transfer certificate had been forged – is a criminal matter, and they have therefore closed their investigation pending the outcome of enquiries by the Moroccan police.
because she was only 17 years old. Zemmama requested to Hibs that he be transferred to a club where he could live with his wife. The intention of the loan deal was that Zemmama's wife would be 18 years old by the time it expired, making her able to enter the UK. However, after Zemmama moved to the Al-Shaab, the Government increased the age at which brides could enter the UK to 21, throwing Zemmama's return to Hibernian into doubt. Zemmama returned to Edinburgh
for the start of the 2009–10 season
, however, in the belief that his wife and young son would be allowed to live in Edinburgh
.
on 27 March. That match had been his comeback from unrelated injuries that had prevented him from starting a game since 17 February. Manager John Hughes admitted in August that he did not expect Zemmama to return before Christmas, as he had not yet commenced jogging
exercises as part of his rehabilitation. Zemmama, whose contract with Hibs is due to expire at the end of the 2010–11 season, returned to full training in December.
on 31 January 2011. He agreed a contract to the end of the 2013–14 season, having been transferred for a fee reported to be around £200,000. He made his debut against Swansea City
. In his second appearance, against Millwall
, he set up goals for Scott McDonald
and Leroy Lita
. Zemmama scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 win against Derby County
. Zemmama scored in Middlesbrough's Carling Cup defeat to Crystal Palace.
in Greece, but only played in the second half of Morocco's last game, a 2–1 win against Iraq
. The Moroccan federation banned him from international football, however, after his transfer to Hibernian
was disputed. The dispute was resolved and the ban was lifted in 2008, allowing Zemmmama to be selected for a 2010 FIFA World Cup
qualifier against Mauritania
. Zemmama won his first cap as a second half substitute in that game, and he scored a goal a minute after coming onto the field.
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player who currently plays for English Championship club Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
. Zemmama represented Morocco at the 2004 Summer Olympics
2004 Summer Olympics
The 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was a premier international multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece from August 13 to August 29, 2004 with the motto Welcome Home. 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team...
and was first capped at full international level in 2008.
Raja Casablanca
Zemmama started his professional career when he joined Raja Casablanca in 2001. He helped the club win the CAF Confederation CupCAF Confederation Cup
The CAF Confederation Cup is an international club association football competition run by the Confederation of African Football.-Qualification:...
in 2003.
Hibernian
Zemmama joined HibernianHibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
under freedom of contract in August 2006. A diminutive playmaker, Zemmama made his debut for Hibernian on 12 August 2006 in a 0–0 draw at Inverness
Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club are a Scottish football club from Inverness who compete in the Scottish Premier League. They are currently managed by Terry Butcher and assistant manager Maurice Malpas...
. He was hailed by manager
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
Tony Mowbray
Tony Mowbray
Anthony Mark "Tony" Mowbray is an English former professional football player, who is currently the manager of Middlesbrough...
as a new Russell Latapy
Russell Latapy
Russell Nigel Latapy is a Trinidad and Tobago footballer who plays for Edinburgh City as an attacking midfielder.In a senior career which spanned more than 20 years at both club and international level, he played in Portugal and Scotland .Latapy...
and his early performances excited the Hibernian fans. Zemmama scored his first goal for Hibs in a 2–2 draw with Edinburgh derby
Edinburgh derby
The Edinburgh derby is an informal title given to any football match played between Scottish clubs Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian , the two professional clubs based in Edinburgh, Scotland. The two clubs have a fierce rivalry that dates back to the clubs being founded in the mid-1870s, which...
rivals Hearts
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
on 15 October 2006.
Zemmama was part of the team that won the 2007 Scottish League Cup Final
2007 Scottish League Cup Final
The 2007 Scottish League Cup Final was played on 18 March 2007 at Hampden Park in Glasgow and was the 60th Scottish League Cup Final. The final was contested by Kilmarnock and Hibernian, who had never met before in a Cup Final...
and featured significantly in both the 2006–07
Hibernian F.C. season 2006-07
-League season:Hibs got off to a slow start in the new league season, taking eleven points from the first nine matches. The highlight of the early part of the league season was a 2–1 win over Rangers on 17 September, but this was then followed with two disappointing losses against Falkirk and...
and 2007–08
Hibernian F.C. season 2007-08
Season 2007–08 for Hibernian could be split into three distinct parts: a great unbeaten start to the Scottish Premier League season that temporarily took the club to the top of the league; a terrible middle phase which saw a long winless run and the resignation of John Collins as Hibs...
seasons. During the later stages of the 2007–08 season, Zemmama broke a bone in his foot after turning awkwardly during training. This injury kept him out of the rest of the season and the start of the following season
2008-09 in Scottish football
The 2008–09 season was the 112th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Overview:* Hamilton Academical competed in the Scottish Premier League for the first time, their first season in the top-flight since the 1988–89 season, after being promoted as First Division champions the...
.
Transfer dispute
In August 2006 it was reported that Raja Casablanca were disputing the legality of Zemmama's transfer to HibernianHibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
. Raja stated that the player had signed a contract with them until 2009, which would have precluded him from signing a contract with Hibernian. Rod Petrie
Rod Petrie
Roderick McKenzie Petrie is the chairman and former chief executive of Scottish football club Hibernian.- Career :Petrie, a merchant banker and chartered Accountant, had advised Sir Tom Farmer CBE throughout his rescue of Hibernian FC from receivership in 1991...
refuted the claim that Zemmama had a contract with Raja.
The Moroccan Football Federation
Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation , , is the governing body of football in Morocco.- Record of national team :*World Cup** 4 Participation's : 1970, 1986, 1994, 1998.** Huitième final : 1986.*LG Cup** Final : 1999....
announced on August 30 that they had suspended the player pending an investigation into the transfer. FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
stated that the player could continue to be selected for Hibs during the investigation. FIFA then stated that the main allegation – that the international transfer certificate had been forged – is a criminal matter, and they have therefore closed their investigation pending the outcome of enquiries by the Moroccan police.
Al-Shaab loan
During early September 2008, Zemmama was transferred to Al-Shaab on a season-long loan deal due to personal issues. His pregnant wife was unable to enter the UKUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
because she was only 17 years old. Zemmama requested to Hibs that he be transferred to a club where he could live with his wife. The intention of the loan deal was that Zemmama's wife would be 18 years old by the time it expired, making her able to enter the UK. However, after Zemmama moved to the Al-Shaab, the Government increased the age at which brides could enter the UK to 21, throwing Zemmama's return to Hibernian into doubt. Zemmama returned to Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
for the start of the 2009–10 season
Hibernian F.C. season 2009–10
Season 2009–10 for Hibernian was their eleventh consecutive season of play in the Scottish Premier League. The SPL season began on 15 August 2009, with a 2–1 win against St. Mirren at home. After a very strong start to the season in which they challenged for the league leadership, Hibs...
, however, in the belief that his wife and young son would be allowed to live in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
.
Return to Hibernian
After returning from the loan to Al-Shaab, Zemmama again became a "key influence" in the Hibs team. He suffered injury problems during the 2009–10 season, however, and was ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering cruciate ligament damage during a match against FalkirkFalkirk F.C.
Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire...
on 27 March. That match had been his comeback from unrelated injuries that had prevented him from starting a game since 17 February. Manager John Hughes admitted in August that he did not expect Zemmama to return before Christmas, as he had not yet commenced jogging
Jogging
Jogging is a form of trotting or running at a slow or leisurely pace. The main intention is to increase fitness with less stress on the body than from faster running.-Definition:...
exercises as part of his rehabilitation. Zemmama, whose contract with Hibs is due to expire at the end of the 2010–11 season, returned to full training in December.
Middlesbrough
Zemmama signed for MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
on 31 January 2011. He agreed a contract to the end of the 2013–14 season, having been transferred for a fee reported to be around £200,000. He made his debut against Swansea City
Swansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
. In his second appearance, against Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
, he set up goals for Scott McDonald
Scott McDonald
Scott Douglas McDonald is an Australian football player who currently plays as a striker for English Championship side Middlesbrough and the Australian national team. Scott McDonald is of Scottish heritage.-Early career:...
and Leroy Lita
Leroy Lita
Leroy Halirou Bohari Lita , is a Congolese-born English footballer who plays for Swansea City. Lita was a product of the Chelsea youth system. He failed to play for Chelsea, and moved to Bristol City and Reading, where his form helped him earn a place with the England under-21 side...
. Zemmama scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 win against Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
. Zemmama scored in Middlesbrough's Carling Cup defeat to Crystal Palace.
International career
Zemmama represented his country at the 2004 Summer Olympics2004 Summer Olympics
The 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was a premier international multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece from August 13 to August 29, 2004 with the motto Welcome Home. 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team...
in Greece, but only played in the second half of Morocco's last game, a 2–1 win against Iraq
Iraq national football team
The Iraqi national football team represents Iraq in international football and is controlled by the Iraq Football Association. They won the 2007 Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup tournament.-The Golden Generation:...
. The Moroccan federation banned him from international football, however, after his transfer to Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
was disputed. The dispute was resolved and the ban was lifted in 2008, allowing Zemmmama to be selected for a 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
qualifier against Mauritania
Mauritania national football team
The Mauritania national football team, nicknamed Mourabitounes, is the national team of Mauritania and is controlled by the Fédération de Foot-Ball de la Républic Islamique de Mauritanie and is a member of CAF. They have not qualified for the FIFA World Cup or Africa Cup of Nations...
. Zemmama won his first cap as a second half substitute in that game, and he scored a goal a minute after coming onto the field.