Abdeslam Ouaddou has reason to celebrate as he has secured a significant victory against his former Qatari club, Lekhwiya. FIFA has ordered the club’s leaders to pay the former Moroccan international the salary he had been demanding for a year.
The dispute dates back to 2010 when Ouaddou, a former Nancy player, signed a three-year contract with Lekhwiya. However, a year later, he was loaned to Qatar SC. In July 2012, Ouaddou, who had retired from professional football, was removed from the squad and subsequently stopped receiving his salary. Despite pressure from his employers who doubted his chances of success, Ouaddou approached FIFA to seek payment for the final year of his contract.
“I am pleased to have won this case. However, it sheds light on the unjust kafala system, under which foreign workers, including footballers, are subjected to. According to this system, one cannot leave Qatar without the approval of their sponsor. I am aware that many well-known footballers have gone unpaid for months but choose to remain silent,” Ouaddou revealed.
This incident adds to the list of controversies surrounding Qatar, further tarnishing its reputation. It is likely that similar disputes will continue to arise in the future.
