Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi, accused of rape in France, was called up to the Morocco squad on Monday for friendlies against Brazil and Peru.
One of the stars who led Morocco to the semi-finals of the World Cup last year, Hakimi was charged earlier this month for allegedly raping a 24-year-old woman.
Hakimi allegedly paid the accuser to travel to his home on February 25 in the Paris suburb of Boulogne-Billancourt while his wife and children were on vacation.
He denied the allegations.
“We’re behind and that’s the most important thing,” Morocco coach Walid Regragui said.
“There is a presumption of innocence until there is evidence to the contrary, we and all Moroccans support him,” Regragui said at a press conference in Rabat.
“He’s not worried and that’s what’s important,” he said. “We are all behind him and it is good that he returns to Morocco and feels that everyone is supporting him.”
The match against Brazil will be held on March 25 in Tangiers, while the match against Peru is on March 28 in Madrid.
“He is a strong person on and off the field,” Regragui said, adding that he had spoken to Hakimi after the rape allegations emerged.
In Qatar, Hakimi was the cornerstone of the Moroccan team that became the first African or Arab country to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup.