The Moroccan Football Association’s Central Referee Committee has decided to suspend referee Mohsen El Surdi, who officiated the “Classico” match between Royal Army and Raja, for two matches due to the officiating errors that caused widespread controversy in football circles.
The decision also included a three-match suspension for Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Bessalam Abdel-Moneim, deemed responsible for several incorrect decisions that had a direct impact on the course of the match.
The “Classico,” which ended in a 0-0 draw, witnessed strong protests from players and fans over what were considered “disastrous mistakes” in managing the game, both on the pitch and through VAR.
This decision aligns with the Central Referee Committee’s policy to reinforce principles of integrity and transparency and ensure fairness in national stadiums, holding referees fully accountable for significant mistakes.
It is noteworthy that this is not the first time Moroccan officiating during high-stakes matches has come under scrutiny, reigniting discussions on the necessity of improving training and keeping pace with technology to avoid such errors in the future.
