Wydad Casablanca to Protest CAF Refereeing Decisions After Champions League First Leg
Following the first leg of the CAF Champions League final against Espérance de Tunis, Wydad Casablanca announced that they are likely to file an official protest with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and potentially FIFA over the match officiating. The first leg, played in Rabat, ended in a 1-1 draw, but the Moroccan club expressed strong dissatisfaction with the performance of Egyptian referee Jihed Jaricha.
An official source from Wydad Casablanca explained that the club was particularly unhappy with two contentious decisions made during the match. After consultation with VAR, the referee disallowed a goal and denied a penalty that could have put the Moroccan side in a commanding position. “We will sit down to discuss what happened and calmly assess the situation before taking any action… A protest to the Confederation of African Football is highly likely,” the source said. “Throughout the competition, we haven’t complained, even though we’ve been targeted repeatedly. What happened against ES Tunis was completely unexpected.”
The club further criticized the referee’s implementation of VAR technology, suggesting that the system and its application are still immature in African football. “Jaricha has overworked himself to implement regulations that aren’t yet ready for adoption. Today, it’s become clear to the world that refereeing in Africa will remain a source of controversy, whether or not VAR is in place. A major setback for some referees,” the official added.
The contentious incidents sparked reactions among fans, with Wydad supporters reportedly heckling and insulting referee Jaricha at the end of the match, in the presence of CAF President Ahmed Ahmed. The club believes that the refereeing decisions significantly influenced the outcome of the first leg, potentially affecting their chances in the return leg in Tunisia.
Wydad Casablanca’s protest underscores the growing scrutiny over refereeing and VAR usage in African football, especially in high-stakes matches such as the Champions League final. The second leg is scheduled to take place at Radès Stadium, where both teams will compete for the continental title, with Wydad hoping to overcome the setback from the first leg.
CAF has not yet commented on whether it has received or will act on Wydad’s expected protest. However, the situation highlights the challenges and controversies that still surround the application of VAR and refereeing consistency in African competitions, drawing attention from clubs, fans, and football authorities alike.
The first leg’s 1-1 draw leaves the tie delicately poised, but Wydad’s management is determined to seek clarity and accountability before the return leg, ensuring that any perceived injustice is formally addressed.
