AS FAR challenge Wydad for Ferji Karmoun as FIFA transfer ban pressure grows

Wydad’s attempt to sign defender Ferji Karmoun has been disrupted by a late move from rivals AS FAR, while a fresh FIFA ruling has increased the pressure on the Casablanca club to resolve its outstanding disputes before the new season begins.

AS FAR have entered the race for Karmoun during the current summer transfer window as they look to strengthen their defence following the departures of Younes Abdelhamid and Nouh El Abd.

Wydad had initially been in the strongest position to complete the deal. The club had received approval from both the player and his current side, Olympique Safi, but AS FAR’s involvement has changed the situation.

The Royal Army club has reportedly made a better financial offer than Wydad, putting the proposed move to the red-and-white side on hold. Moroccan website Sport7 reported that the development also prompted Olympique Safi to increase its financial demands.

The defender will now be sold to whichever club submits the highest offer, according to the report.

The transfer uncertainty comes as Wydad continue trying to clear a growing list of legal and financial disputes that could prevent them from registering new signings for the forthcoming campaign.

FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber has issued another ruling against Wydad in a case involving one of the club’s former foreign players. The decision takes the number of final judgments against the club to five.

Wydad must settle those cases in full if they are to have their registration ban lifted and make their new players eligible to compete. The club’s current president, Ibrahim Alasri, is working to close the disputes that accumulated under the previous administration led by Hicham Ait Menna.

Sport7 reported that Wydad are required to resolve five files with FIFA, alongside more than seven other cases before the National Disputes Committee.

The club’s problems include claims from players seeking unpaid wages, as well as requests to terminate contracts unilaterally. Those matters have added to the workload facing the current administration as it attempts to stabilise the squad before the start of the new season.

Alongside the effort to address the disputes, Alasri is also trying to retain Wydad’s key players. The club is in advanced negotiations with goalkeeper Mehdi Benabid over a contract extension.

Le360 Sport reported that Wydad had submitted a new proposal to Benabid after settling all of the goalkeeper’s outstanding financial dues. The report said Benabid is expected to make a final decision within the next few days.

Wydad’s immediate transfer plans therefore remain dependent on two developments: whether they can improve their offer sufficiently to beat AS FAR to Karmoun, and whether the club can settle the outstanding cases preventing the registration of new arrivals.