Raja coach Paco Jemez accepts any decision after defeat by RS Berkane

Raja coach Paco Jemez says he will accept any decision made by the club after their 2-0 defeat by RS Berkane, a result which appears to have placed the Spanish manager’s position under serious pressure.

The loss, in the sixth round of the Moroccan league, was Raja’s first of the season. It left the club 13th in the table with six points, although they have a game in hand.

“I apologise to Raja’s supporters for the poor result against RS Berkane,” Jemez said in comments carried by Albotola. “Unfortunately, we played a bad match and failed to deal with it properly from the beginning.”

Jemez took full responsibility for the team’s performance, while defending the effort made by his players.

“I want everyone to know that I am responsible for the level the team showed,” he added. “The players gave everything they could, but we did not succeed in producing the performance we had hoped for.”

He said he remained ready to support the club, regardless of what decision its officials make.

“I am prepared to help the club and I accept any decision that is taken,” Jemez said. “This situation requires someone to take responsibility, and that person is me.”

Raja are in Group A of the Confederation Cup alongside Al Ahly, Togo’s ASKO Kara and Angola’s Primeiro de Agosto.

The Moroccan side secured their place in the group stage by beating Nigeria’s El Kanemi 2-0 in the second leg. Raja had drawn 2-2 in the first leg.

Al Ahly will face Raja in the third and fourth rounds of the competition. The Egyptian club will travel to Morocco to meet Raja between 8 and 10 January, while Raja are due to visit Cairo Stadium between 18 and 20 December.

The latest setback adds to the uncertainty surrounding Jemez’s future after Raja’s difficult start to their league campaign. Their defeat by RS Berkane left them with six points from their opening matches, with their postponed fixture still to be played.