Hakim Ziyech’s Ongoing Dispute with Wydad de Casablanca
The ongoing conflict between Hakim Ziyech and the management of Wydad de Casablanca has taken a significant turn. Excluded from the training camp held in Agadir, the Moroccan international made an appearance at the Mohamed Benjelloun Complex on Tuesday, accompanied by a judicial officer, to officially document the circumstances under which he is expected to train.
While his teammates are engaged in their preparations in Agadir, Ziyech is required to follow an individualized training program provided by the club. This program includes sessions at the Mohamed Benjelloun Complex under the supervision of a physical trainer. However, upon his arrival, Ziyech was not alone; he brought along a judicial officer to confirm his attendance and the conduct of the scheduled training session. Reports indicate that no members of the technical staff were present to oversee his training, raising further questions about the club's management.
The significance of Ziyech's actions should not be underestimated. By opting to have the situation officially documented, he is protecting himself should the dispute with the Wydad management escalate. The official report prepared by the judicial officer could serve as crucial evidence in any future proceedings involving relevant authorities.
Recent Developments and Financial Disagreements
This latest development follows a period of intense scrutiny surrounding the former Chelsea player. The initial signs of tension became evident during a friendly match where Wydad faced Renaissance Club Athletic Zemamra (RCAZ) at the Complexe Wellness. Ziyech was present, ready to participate when he was abruptly informed by his coach, Paulo Sérgio Brito, that he would not be playing, following a decision from President Ibrahim El Assri. Subsequently, his name was also omitted from the list of players selected for the pre-season training camp in Agadir.
This exclusion prompted Ziyech to break his silence. In response to an Instagram post about the team's updates, he directly accused Ibrahim El Assri of being responsible for both his non-participation in the friendly match and his absence from the Agadir training camp. This marked a significant shift, as the situation had previously been handled without public confrontation. Despite the uncertainties surrounding his future since the new management took over, Ziyech had been training normally and even participated in a preparation match against Ittihad de Tanger.
At the core of the dispute lies the issue of Ziyech's salary, which the new management deems excessive as they aim to reduce expenses and restructure the team. Ziyech, however, is unwilling to renegotiate the financial terms established upon his arrival and insists on fulfilling his commitments to Wydad. What initially seemed to be one of the first sensitive issues for Ibrahim El Assri has escalated into a full-blown standoff. From financial disagreements to exclusion from matches and training camps, the gap between the two sides appears to be widening.
The presence of a judicial officer at the Mohamed Benjelloun Complex signifies a new chapter in this saga. With just a few weeks left until the start of the 2026-2027 season on September 24, the concerns have shifted from merely Ziyech's potential retention at Wydad to the broader implications of a conflict that has rapidly evolved from a contractual disagreement to a public confrontation now meticulously documented.
As reported by sport.le360.ma.
