Legal dispute delays Amine Karama’s move to Maghreb de Fes

Amine Karama’s appointment as head coach of Maghreb de Fes remains delayed by a legal dispute with Moghreb Tetouan, despite the Moroccan club announcing that it had agreed a two-year contract with him.

The disagreement centres on the financial and legal terms of ending Karama’s existing relationship with Moghreb Tetouan.

Maghreb de Fes dismissed Portuguese manager Rui Almeida after a run of poor results. The club failed to win any of its past four matches, leading to Almeida’s departure.

According to Moroccan newspaper Al Mountakhab, the main issue concerns a clause in Karama’s contract with Moghreb Tetouan requiring the payment of two months’ salary if the agreement is terminated.

Moghreb Tetouan’s management maintains that the obligation applies to the second season of the contract. Karama, however, believes the clause becomes applicable as soon as the relationship ends, regardless of when the termination takes place.

Karama has already paid Moghreb Tetouan an amount equivalent to three months’ wages as part of a settlement of his financial situation with the club. That payment included his salary for June.

The case has been further complicated by conflicting wording in the contract. One clause reportedly states that there is no release clause, while another refers to a payment equivalent to two months’ salary. The discrepancy has created scope for different legal interpretations of the conditions under which the contract can be ended.

Moghreb Tetouan is insisting that the contractual relationship remains in place and has rejected a mutual termination. Karama, meanwhile, wants to end the agreement unilaterally so he can take charge of Maghreb de Fes.

As a result, his appointment remains unresolved while the two sides attempt to settle the matter.

Maghreb de Fes are in Group D of the CAF Champions League alongside Pyramids, Sudanese club Al Hilal and Horoya. The club qualified for the competition after winning the Moroccan league title.

Jurcic talks end over salary demands

Maghreb de Fes have also ended negotiations with former Pyramids manager Krunoslav Jurcic after failing to agree on financial terms.

Moroccan outlet Le Matin Sport reported that the club halted discussions because it considered the Croatian coach’s demands too high.

Jurcic was seeking a monthly salary of close to $125,000 for his coaching staff, according to the report.

The two parties held several rounds of talks in an attempt to find a compromise, but the financial gap ultimately prevented the deal from being completed.