A Storm in Moroccan Refereeing: Disciplinary Decisions Affect First-Round Referees and the “Classico” Match Between Army and Raja
The National Technical Directorate of Refereeing issued an official statement announcing a series of disciplinary decisions against several referees, following errors observed in the matches of the first and second rounds of the “Inwi” professional league. These decisions have stirred considerable controversy within football circles.
First Round: IR Tanger vs. Hassania Agadir
This match witnessed protests over certain refereeing decisions, prompting the Directorate to take the following actions:
- Suspension of referee Amin Al-Maatawi for one match.
- Suspension of Video Assistant Referee Jamal Belbassri for two matches.
Second Round: Raja vs. Military Club (Classico)
The “Classico,” which ended in a goalless draw (0-0) amidst significant refereeing disputes, resulted in stricter decisions:
- Suspension of referee Mohsin Al-Sourdi for two matches.
- Suspension of Video Assistant Referee Abdel-Monim Belaslam for three matches.
The Directorate clarified in its statement that these measures come as part of the commitment to meet the demands of competitive football at the national level, emphasizing that the recorded errors “did not meet expectations,” thereby necessitating accountability for the referees responsible.
These penalties reflect a new direction towards enhancing transparency and accountability within the refereeing body, especially amidst growing criticism from clubs and fans regarding the impact of refereeing decisions on match outcomes. They carry a clear message that any significant error, whether on the field or through video technology, will not go unmonitored.
These developments raise questions about the readiness of Moroccan refereeing to keep pace with the intensity of pivotal matches in the league, and highlight the need for further training and technical support to ensure that the referee’s whistle acts as a tool for fairness rather than a source of controversy.
