The contentious refereeing decisions, witnessed week after week on the national stage, have raised several questions about the standard of Moroccan officiating.
Despite the implementation of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in the professional league, controversies have only intensified, casting doubts on the competence of Moroccan referees.
Several instances have left match officials struggling to make correct decisions, despite reviewing the incidents in slow motion from multiple angles.
The effectiveness and responsiveness of VAR in meeting the required standards in the Moroccan professional league have become hot topics within the football community.
Speaking exclusively to Hesport, former referee and refereeing expert Mohammed Al Moujahid stated, “VAR in the league is subpar.”
Al Moujahid further elaborated, “VAR in the league operates with only six cameras, whereas most countries use 12 cameras. Tunisia, for example, has been utilizing VAR with 12 cameras from the outset.”
He emphasized the inadequacy of six cameras in providing referees with sufficient viewing angles to make accurate judgments and highlighted the need to address the positioning of cameras in stadiums.
“Suppose some national stadiums lack adequate space for deploying 12 cameras. In that case, platforms should be installed near the audience for some cameras to assist referees, rather than relying on six cameras while controversies persist without any action from relevant authorities,” Al Moujahid added.
He concluded, “VAR requires a reevaluation in the Moroccan league to elevate it to the required standard.
Additionally, the training level of some referees remains a subject of discussion to enhance Moroccan officiating in the coming years. Otherwise, the reality of refereeing in Morocco speaks for itself.”
The call for a thorough review of VAR implementation and referee training underscores the urgency of addressing officiating challenges to uphold the integrity and fairness of football competitions in Morocco.
