Moroccan referee Mohamed Baroudi set for first Wydad AC–Raja CA derby assignment

Mohamed Baroudi will officiate the Casablanca derby between Wydad Athletic Club and Raja Club Athletic for the first time when the two rivals meet on Wednesday in a rescheduled Botola Pro fixture at Mohammed V Stadium.

The Moroccan referee has yet to oversee a match in the current league campaign.

Last season, he handled ten domestic fixtures — eight in the Botola Pro, a Throne Cup tie and a promotion play-off.

Baroudi has limited experience with the two giants.

He oversaw one Raja match last term, a 1-0 home defeat to Renaissance de Berkane on the opening weekend at Larbi Zaouli Stadium.

His two Wydad assignments brought mixed outcomes: a 4-1 victory against Difaâ Hassani El Jadidi in Casablanca and a goalless draw away to Renaissance de Zemmamra.

His cup duties included the first leg of the Throne Cup semi-finals, where Nahdat Berkane beat Moghreb Tetouan 3-0, and the play-off in which Olympique Dcheira fell 2-1 to Chabab Salalem.

Baroudi also gained international exposure in June, taking charge of Cameroon’s 3-0 win over Uganda and Kenya’s 2-1 victory against Chad during the friendly window.

Statistically, he issued 43 yellow cards across his domestic appointments last season, awarded two penalties and did not show a single red card.