Moroccan international referee Bouchra Karboubi has broken his silence following retirement from refereeing, stressing dignity is more valuable than positions.
Karboubi, who was ranked among the top ten referees in 2025 shockingly announced his retirement from refereeing last November.
Just a month after retirement, Karboubi has stressed her decision was neither sudden nor hasty, but rather came after deep reflection and a long career in the field.
“I was never a novice referee; I was among the best referees in Africa and globally, a candidate to officiate matches at the 2026 World Cup, and I represented Morocco in several major tournaments with pride and responsibility.”
“The decision to retire was linked to difficult professional circumstances, including mismanagement, exclusion, and injustice. There are practices that are unacceptable when they infringe upon dignity, especially when it concerns a woman within a complex professional environment.”
“I endured many difficulties, but humiliation and exclusion cannot be the price of continuing. Dignity comes before any position or career path.”
The retired international referee concluded her post by emphasizing that her retirement does not reflect failure, but rather a choice stemming from personal conviction. She noted that earning the love and respect of Moroccans remains the most important achievement of her career, after more than 25 years of dedication.
