Wydad Casablanca's New Management Takes Financial Responsibility
The newly appointed leadership of Wydad Casablanca has made a decisive move to bring transparency to the club's financial situation. In an official statement, the executive committee, led by Ibrahim El Assri, outlined the financial challenges inherited from the previous administration, detailing efforts to resolve recruitment bans that have affected the club's operations. The new board has reportedly mobilized over 27 million dirhams to address a portion of the outstanding debts, illustrating their commitment to stabilizing the club's finances.
This announcement follows a recent General Assembly meeting, during which the financial report from the previous administration was not approved. The committee emphasized this critical moment in their statement, referencing the assembly where the financial report faced rejection and highlighting the minutes submitted to local authorities and overseeing bodies.
Given the potential impact of these financial woes on the club's sporting activities, the new committee has taken swift action since assuming office. They have initiated a comprehensive operation aimed at settling outstanding financial obligations, successfully lifting several recruitment bans and ensuring that multiple months of salaries are paid. The total expenditure for this initial operation has exceeded 27 million dirhams, underscoring the club's proactive stance in addressing its financial obligations.
Commitment to Resolving Outstanding Debts
Despite these efforts, the financial liabilities are far from resolved. The statement highlights a meeting involving Ibrahim El Assri, the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), Fouzi Lekjaa, the president of the National Professional Football League (LNFP), Abdeslam Belkchour, and former Wydad president Hicham Aït Menna. In this meeting, it was reported that Aït Menna had committed to lifting recruitment bans for a total of 26 million dirhams by September 7, 2026, in addition to addressing a sum related to a player transfer amounting to 20 million dirhams by the end of the year.
As the September 7 deadline was not met, another meeting was convened with the same representatives. During this discussion, the urgency to resolve the financial situation was once again highlighted, with the former president reaffirming his commitment to fulfill his obligations and rectify the financial issues by September 20, 2026.
For Ibrahim El Assri's administration, the immediate priority is to eliminate the international recruitment ban facing Wydad. The club has stated that this matter is being treated with utmost urgency, utilizing all available resources to achieve a resolution in a timely manner, thus allowing the team to continue its season without further hindrance.
Moreover, the new leadership has made it clear that they do not seek confrontation with their predecessors. The initiatives undertaken since their arrival are described as driven by the necessity to prioritize the interests of Wydad and ensure the club's continuity, rather than any desire for conflict.
However, the tone becomes significantly firmer when discussing the commitments that remain unfulfilled. The executive committee warns that obligations made in front of national football authorities cannot be disregarded. Should these commitments not be honored, Wydad has stated that it will not hesitate to pursue all available legal avenues to defend its rights and clarify responsibilities concerning any damages incurred by the club.
With the September 20 deadline approaching, the message from the new administration is unequivocal. Following the disapproval of the financial report from the previous management, the new board is determined to resolve the disputes that continue to plague Wydad's finances. Behind the tens of millions of dirhams at stake lies a sporting urgency: to regain maneuverability in the transfer market and prevent past issues from jeopardizing the new season.
As reported by sport.le360.ma.
