Botola Pro 1: Five referees suspended after Raja Casablanca v Ittihad Tanger match

The Direction Technique Nationale de l’Arbitrage (DTNA) has suspended five match officials following a series of contentious decisions in the Botola Pro D1 “Inwi” encounter between Raja Club Athletic and Ittihad Riadi de Tanger.

Played on Sunday, February 22, as part of the 13th round of Morocco’s top-flight league, the match ended in a 2–0 victory for Raja Casablanca but was overshadowed by several refereeing controversies, most notably a direct red card issued to Ittihad Tanger defender Bilal El Oudghiri in the 32nd minute.

According to the DTNA, sanctions have been tailored according to each official’s level of responsibility:

• Nawfal Nachit (central referee) – suspended for five matches
• Abderrahim Rkhiz (VAR referee) – suspended for four matches
• Bouazza Iken (assistant VAR referee) – suspended for three matches
• Abderrazak El Moutamanni (first assistant referee) – suspended for three matches
• Mustapha Abikhar (second assistant referee) – suspended for three matches

The governing body emphasized that the measures aim to uphold “proper application of the laws of the game” and to reinforce integrity and transparency within Moroccan professional football.

The decision comes after strong criticism from both clubs, particularly Ittihad Tanger, which publicly condemned the officiating as biased and called for an urgent investigation. The club has also requested that the VAR room audio be released to ensure full transparency.

Even Raja Casablanca, despite securing the win, had previously voiced concerns over certain refereeing decisions, highlighting the widespread unease surrounding officiating in the league.

This latest incident has reignited debates over refereeing standards in the Botola Pro D1 “Inwi.” Fans and club officials are demanding more than sanctions—they are calling for accountability and transparency in the use of VAR going forward.

For now, the DTNA’s disciplinary action signals a decisive move by Moroccan football authorities to address officiating issues as the domestic season unfolds.