Bouchra Karboubi announced her retirement from refereeing just hours after officials released the list of referees selected for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, a list that excluded her.
Officials leaked the AFCON refereeing list on Tuesday. Karboubi did not feature among the selected names, while Moroccan referees Jalal Jayed and Kach Grafe Mustapha earned places at the tournament.
Her omission surprised many observers because she built a strong reputation through major African competitions and appearances at the Women’s World Cup.
Karboubi responded with a public message in which she reaffirmed her deep commitment to Morocco, to the national game, and to the support she says she received over the years.
She highlighted her pride in representing the country on major international stages and stated that she always approached her role with dedication and a sense of national duty.
Her message then shifted sharply. Karboubi accused the National Arbitration Directorate of blocking her professional development and damaging a career she shaped through twenty-five years of work.
She claimed internal decisions undermined her future and forced her into a position where she no longer saw a way forward. She ended her statement by confirming that she would no longer officiate.
The National Arbitration Directorate has not responded so far. Her sudden departure and pointed accusations raise serious questions about relations within Moroccan refereeing structures.
The exclusion of such a prominent figure, followed by an immediate retirement, suggests that tensions may have built up long before the AFCON list became public.
🚨 L’arbitre marocaine Bouchra Karboubi annonce sa retraite. Elle dénonce les pressions subies et la discrimination. pic.twitter.com/RgtzXo757A
— SOCCER212 (@SCCR_212) November 26, 2025
