Moroccan international referee Bouchra Karboubi has broken her silence with a powerful social media story explaining the real reasons behind her sudden retirement from refereeing in November 2025.
Karboubi firmly rejected the narratives that linked her decision to “personal circumstances” or inexperience, stressing that she stepped away in protest against what she described as injustice, mismanagement, exclusion, and humiliation within the national refereeing system.
She highlighted that she had recently been ranked among the top 10 women referees in the world for 2025 and considered one of the best in Africa, with strong chances of officiating at the 2026 World Cup.
Karboubi criticized those who, in her words, “wish for the downfall of their own people” and prioritize personal interests over the nation’s image. She underlined that she chose to retire with pride and dignity rather than accept submission.
In an emotional closing message, Karboubi said that even though she has left the refereeing field, she feels she has gained something far more valuable: the love and respect of the Moroccan people. She described that appreciation as more precious than any professional achievement or official recognition.
