Botola Pro 1: IR Tanger files official protest against refereeing in Raja Athletic Club

Officials of IR Tanger have formally voiced their discontent over the refereeing in their recent fixture against Raja Club Athletic at the Mohammed V Complex in Casablanca, a match played as part of the 13th round of the Botola Pro.

A source close to the Tangier-based club confirmed that management has submitted an official letter of protest to the National Professional Football League and the Moroccan Refereeing Directorate.

The complaint centres on several decisions taken by referee Youssef Nachit, which the club believes had a direct impact on both the flow and final outcome of the encounter.

At the heart of the protest is the dismissal of defender Bilal El Ouedghiri in the 31st minute. Club officials have described the red card as “undeserved,” insisting that their position was formed after consulting former international referees and officiating experts.

According to Ittihad Tanger, playing with ten men for the majority of the match disrupted their tactical approach and significantly hindered their ability to compete against a side of Raja’s calibre.

The controversy was not limited to one camp. Raja players also expressed frustration after the refereeing team ruled out what they believed to be a legitimate scoring opportunity for offside, a decision that sparked debate among observers.

On the pitch, Raja Casablanca secured a 2-0 victory. Abdullah Khafifi opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, before Yahya Aghiz sealed the win deep into stoppage time in the 90+6 minute.

The result lifted Raja to 23 points, keeping them within touching distance of the league’s frontrunners. Meanwhile, Ittihad Tanger remain on 12 points in tenth position, reflecting the tightening competition both at the top and in mid-table.

Beyond this particular fixture, the episode has reignited broader debate over refereeing standards in Morocco’s professional league.

Criticism has intensified in recent seasons, with some pointing to previous remarks by Abdelwahed Zemrat, head coach of US Touarga, who publicly accused refereeing department chief Redouane Jiyed of influencing match officials during games through phone contact.

While those allegations generated widespread discussion within national sporting circles, no conclusive findings have been announced.