Former Morocco star Idriss El Khannoussi, one of the most respected figures in the history of Moroccan football has been honoured by the city of Fez, in recognition of his outstanding career and lasting contributions to the development of national sport.
The ceremony was organized by the Mohammed VI Foundation for Sports Champions and brought together the Wali of the Fez–Meknes region and Governor of the Fez Prefecture, Khalid Ait Taleb, alongside several prominent sports personalities, former national team players, technical staff, and key stakeholders from the sporting community.
Speaking at the event, Foundation president Chakib Benmoussa explained that the honor forms part of a wider initiative aimed at celebrating exemplary careers that have helped shape the legacy of Moroccan sport. He noted that paying tribute to former champions reflects the nation’s pride and gratitude for their dedication, sacrifices, and discipline while representing the national colors, as well as the values of sportsmanship, integrity, and commitment they upheld throughout their careers.
Benmoussa also underlined the importance of strengthening ties between generations of athletes, fostering unity within the national sports family, and promoting the image of the champion as a role model and source of inspiration for young people. He added that this vision aligns with the momentum currently being experienced by the Moroccan sports sector under the leadership of King Mohammed VI.
In the same context, he highlighted the central role of human capital in sports development and stressed the need to invest in school sports as a means of expanding the talent pool and supporting the growth of elite-level competition.
Former international Abdelrazak Khairi, speaking to the press, expressed his pride in taking part in the ceremony honoring one of Fez football’s great names. He recalled that El Khannoussi stood out from a young age thanks to his exceptional abilities and left a lasting imprint with both the Moroccan national team and MAS Fez.
Khairi described the gathering as an emotional reunion marked by friendship and mutual appreciation among former players, referees, and coaches. He emphasized the special bond that unites football legends in Fez, known as the “City of Knowledge,” and voiced his deep respect and moral support for El Khannoussi, whom he described as one of the most loyal servants of Moroccan football.
Born on November 21, 1939, Moulay Idriss El Khannoussi is regarded as one of the players who made a profound impact on Moroccan football history. A disciplined defender renowned for his tactical intelligence and team spirit, he earned 114 caps for the national team and featured in major international competitions, including the 1962 Africa Cup of Nations and the 1971 Mediterranean Games.
At club level, El Khannoussi’s career is inseparably linked with MAS Fez, where he enjoyed a long and distinguished spell from the late 1950s to the early 1970s, playing a key role in the club’s rise and in the broader growth of Moroccan football.
Through this tribute, the Mohammed VI Foundation for Sports Champions reaffirmed its commitment to preserving Morocco’s sporting heritage and honoring the achievements of the pioneers who laid the foundations of the game.
