Abdeslam Ouaddou defends former AS Vita Club president after CAS compensation ruling

Former AS Vita Club head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has issued a public statement following the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling ordering the Congolese giants to pay him more than €650,000 in compensation, insisting that former club president Amadou Diaby should not be held responsible for the dispute.

The ruling, which relates to wrongful termination of Ouaddou’s contract and unpaid salaries, has generated widespread discussion within African football circles. However, the Moroccan tactician has moved to defend Diaby, praising the former club chief for his commitment and financial sacrifices during his tenure.

According to Ouaddou, Diaby fulfilled all of his obligations while leading the club and personally invested more than $2 million into AS Vita Club in an effort to restore the team’s status.

The former defender described Diaby as a leader with a clear vision for rebuilding one of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s most successful football clubs, arguing that criticism directed at the former president over the CAS verdict is misplaced.

Ouaddou also disclosed the financial challenges he endured during his time in charge, revealing that he went six months without receiving a salary.

Despite the unpaid wages, he said he continued to support the club by using his own money to cover several operational expenses, including purchasing training equipment and footballs, paying for players’ flights, and providing food for the squad.

The former coach stressed that, throughout the difficult period, he chose to prioritize the welfare of his players by ensuring they received their salaries ahead of his own financial interests.

Beyond the individual dispute, Ouaddou believes the case highlights broader structural challenges facing football administration across the African continent.

He argued that the situation should serve as a wake-up call for clubs and football authorities to strengthen governance systems and improve legal, administrative, financial and communications frameworks.

According to Ouaddou, building stronger institutional structures will not only protect coaches, players and clubs but also help prevent similar contractual disputes from escalating to international arbitration in the future.

The CAS ruling has added to growing concerns over governance and contractual management within African football, with Ouaddou expressing hope that the outcome will encourage meaningful reforms rather than fuel division among those who have sought to develop the game.