Ouaddou wins CAS ruling as AS Vita ordered to pay over €600,000

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has been awarded more than €600,000 (just under R12m) in compensation after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that his contract with AS Vita Club was unlawfully terminated.

The tribunal found that the Democratic Republic of Congo giants dismissed the Moroccan coach without just cause and ordered the club to pay all sums due to him. The decision follows a legal dispute that began after Ouaddou was removed from his role at AS Vita in January 2024.

According to HESPRESS English – Morocco News, CAS concluded that the circumstances of Ouaddou’s departure did not justify the termination of his contract, leading to a substantial financial award in his favour.

The ruling is now final and binding. Should AS Vita fail to comply with the decision, CAS has indicated that disciplinary measures could be imposed on the club, in line with its regulations and enforcement procedures.

Contract dispute and CAS award

Ouaddou’s claim centred on the manner of his dismissal, with CAS ultimately determining that AS Vita had acted improperly in ending his contract. As a result, the club has been ordered to pay the full amount owed to the coach, which totals in excess of €600,000.

The sum represents the breakdown of monies due to the former defender under the terms of his agreement with the Congolese club, including unpaid entitlements linked to his employment. The precise itemisation of the award has not been made public, but the overall figure reflects the tribunal’s conclusion that Ouaddou’s rights under the contract were violated.

With the judgment delivered, the legal dispute between the two parties is now considered resolved at international level, pending AS Vita’s compliance with the financial order.

Short Vita spell and move to South Africa

Ouaddou’s stint in charge of AS Vita lasted just nine months. During that period, he chose to step away from his position, citing what were described as serious logistical difficulties and outstanding salary payments.

His departure from Congo opened the door to a move to South African football, where he joined Betway Premiership side Marumo Gallants. That appointment marked his first role in the league and laid the groundwork for his rapid rise in the domestic game.

The Moroccan coach then made a surprise switch to Orlando Pirates, one of South Africa’s most prominent clubs. In his debut season with the Soweto side, Ouaddou enjoyed immediate success, guiding Pirates to a domestic treble.

While the CAS verdict relates to his previous employment at AS Vita, the outcome further underlines the trajectory of a coach who has quickly built a winning reputation since arriving in South Africa.

The CAS decision also serves as a reminder of the growing scrutiny on contractual disputes within African club football and the potential financial consequences for teams that fail to adhere to international labour and contractual standards.