Body of Moroccan player found in Algeria

The lifeless body of a Moroccan player was reportedly found in Algerian waters, after more than a month of uncertainty. He was one of five players from the Ittihad Tangier club who were lost at sea on July 6.

Algerian maritime authorities have recovered a body off the coast of Oran, Algeria, believed to be that of Abdellatif Akhrif, a player who played for Ittihad Tangier in the Moroccan first division. A jet ski driver shared a video online showing a decomposing body floating near the coast of Cap Falcon, in the Ain al-Trak region, on the outskirts of the Algerian city of Oran. It is believed to be the body of Abdellatif Akhrif. Gaya Merbah, the Algerian goalkeeper for Ittihad Tangier, reportedly went to the morgue and said the body was likely that of his teammate. The body found was wearing the same shorts that Akhrif was wearing when he was last seen swimming before he disappeared. Moroccan authorities should coordinate with their Algerian counterparts to organize the repatriation of the body found off the coast of Oran for identification and to determine whether it is indeed that of Akhrif.