Michel earns special honor

RABAT, Morocco (AP): Though he was not able to take Morocco to the second round of the World Cup, coach Henri Michel did well enough to earn a special honor from King Hassan II.

"As of today you will be an honorary citizen of Morocco," Hassan II told the Frenchman at a special homecoming ceremony at the royal palace Friday.

The king was clearly emotional during the ceremony in which he thanked the Moroccan players for their "very brilliant" results in the first round. Morocco finished with one victory, one draw and one loss in three games.

The king gave Michel a decoration "that very few non-Moroccans have."

"We are not an ungrateful people," the king said, "and we won't forget what you did for us."