Wydad’s financial crisis deepens as club demands MAD 46m from former president Ait Menna

Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club have demanded that former president Hicham Ait Menna settle financial obligations totalling MAD 46 million as the club continues efforts to resolve its financial difficulties.

The demand was contained in a statement issued by Wydad’s current management, headed by Ibrahim El Assri, on Sunday.

The club said the amount relates to outstanding liabilities inherited by the current administration, with the dispute also linked to Wydad’s ongoing transfer ban.

Wydad reveal MAD 27m already paid

Wydad said its recent general assembly did not approve the club’s financial report, with the decision formally recorded in the minutes submitted to the relevant authorities and supervisory bodies.

The current administration also revealed that it has already paid more than MAD 27 million towards outstanding financial obligations.

Those payments included several months of unpaid salaries and wages, as the new management attempts to restore financial stability for players and other parties contracted to the club.

The payments are part of Wydad’s wider efforts to address financial issues affecting the Moroccan club and prioritise the lifting of its transfer ban.

Ait Menna commitments under scrutiny

Wydad also referred to a meeting involving El Assri, Royal Moroccan Football Federation president Fouzi Lekjaa, National Professional Football League president Abdeslam Belkchour and former club president Ait Menna.

According to the club, Ait Menna committed during the meeting to resolving disputes worth MAD 26 million connected to Wydad’s transfer ban by September 7, 2026.

He also reportedly agreed to settle a further MAD 20 million linked to the transfer of a player before the end of the year.

Wydad said the former president failed to meet the September 7 deadline.

A subsequent meeting was held, during which Ait Menna renewed his commitment to resolving the financial situation by September 20.

Wydad threaten legal action

The club has now warned that failure to honour the commitments could result in legal and judicial proceedings.

Wydad said it intends to use all available legal procedures and hold accountable anyone found responsible for financial damage suffered by the institution.

The latest development adds to the pressure surrounding one of Morocco’s biggest clubs as Wydad seek to resolve their outstanding financial disputes and address the transfer ban.

By highlighting the more than MAD 27 million already paid by the current administration, the club has also sought to underline its efforts to stabilise its finances while working towards restoring its ability to register new players.