Fast-rising Swedish-born playmaker Kerim Mrabti won’t be boarding Tunisia’s plane to the World Cup after turning down the North African country’s overtures.
The Djurgarden starlet has been on the radar of the Tunisian FA and was tipped to be Youssef Mskani’s replacement who’s ruled out for the events in Russia owing to injury.
Tunisia’s FA boss Jarii Wadii and national team coach Nabil Maaloul last week flew to Stockholm in a last-ditch attempt to persuade the 23-year-old.
This comes after most of Tunisia’s key stars are confined to the treatment table barely a month away from the World Cup where they are pitted with the likes of England.
Though the Tunisian FA didn’t reveal outcome of their negotiations with the midfielder, it has emerged that the player won’t be donning Cartage Eagles’ colours.
Confirming his reason to turn down the African nation Kerim said it was too prompt a big decision to make.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“I have announced my decision and I have said no. It was a far too quick decision for my part. It is too big a decision to make at such a short notice. And yet I’ve played in Sweden, made first-team caps and played in the U21 national team,”[/perfectpullquote]
the erstwhile Sirius FK wonder-kid said in the aftermath of his Swedish club Djurgarden IF’s league game with Dalkurd.
Despite having featured for Sweden at all youth levels, the 23-year-old remains eligible for Tunisia through his mother who was born in the North African country.
The decision comes much as a huge blow for the Carthage Eagles but coaches at Tunisia remain hopeful of making future advances on the player if he doesn’t g on to represent his birth place at senior level.
