Rabat – The Direction Technique Nationale de l’Arbitrage (DTNA) announced on Tuesday the suspension of five match officials following what it described as serious refereeing errors during the Botola Pro D1 “Inwi” match between Raja Club Athletic and Ittihad Riadi de Tanger.
The match, played on Sunday February 22 as part of the 13th round of the Moroccan top league, ended in a 2–0 win for Raja but was overshadowed by several contentious decisions, most notably a direct red card shown to Ittihad Tanger defender Bilal El Oudghiri in the 32nd minute.
According to the DTNA statement, the sanctions vary depending on each official’s level of responsibility during the match:
- Nawfal Nachit (central referee): suspended for five matches
- Abderrahim Rkhiz (VAR referee): suspended for four matches
- Bouazza Iken (assistant VAR referee): suspended for three matches
- Abderrazak El Moutamanni (first assistant referee): suspended for three matches
- Mustapha Abikhar (second assistant referee): suspended for three matches
The DTNA stated that these measures are intended to ensure the “proper application of the laws of the game” and to reinforce integrity and transparency within Moroccan professional football.
This decision follows heavy criticism from both clubs, especially Ittihad Tanger. The Tangier-based club officially denounced the refereeing as biased and has called for an urgent investigation. To ensure transparency, they also demanded that the audio from the VAR room be made public.
Even though they won the match 2–0, Raja Casablanca had already expressed dissatisfaction with certain refereeing calls prior to the official ruling on the referee.
This controversy has once again put the spotlight on officiating standards in the Botola Pro D1 Inwi. Fans and club officials alike are now demanding more than just apologies and sanctions. They want real accountability and total transparency in how VAR is used during matches for the future.
For now at least, the DTNA’s disciplinary action indicates an effort by Moroccan football authorities to address officiating concerns decisively as the domestic championship progresses.
Read also: Botola Pro: Eight Clubs Face Financial Disputes Totaling Over MAD 29 Million