RS Berkane star Paul Valère Bassene referred to disciplinary committee after Raja celebration

RS Berkane forward Paul Valère Bassene is facing possible disciplinary action after Moroccan football authorities officially referred his case to the Central Disciplinary Committee.

This follows his controversial goal celebration during Wednesday’s Botola Pro encounter against Raja Casablanca.

League Opens Disciplinary Case

The National Professional Football League announced on Thursday that it had submitted a formal complaint against the Senegalese striker over what it described as inappropriate conduct after scoring the winning goal in RS Berkane’s victory over Raja Casablanca at the Mohammed V Stadium.

The match formed part of the 22nd round of the Botola Pro Inwi campaign.

The incident quickly sparked intense debate among supporters and football observers, with Bassene’s celebration dominating discussions across Moroccan football circles in the aftermath of the game.

In its statement, the league stressed that the referral reflects its determination to uphold the rules governing domestic competitions while promoting discipline, respect and sportsmanship throughout Moroccan football.

The Central Disciplinary Committee is now expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident before deciding whether any sanctions should be imposed on the player.

Bassene Issues Public Apology

The disciplinary proceedings come shortly after Bassene publicly addressed the controversy and expressed regret over his actions.

In a message shared on his Instagram account, the RS Berkane attacker apologised to the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, his club, Raja Casablanca and any supporters who were offended by the gesture.

Bassene maintained that the celebration was not intended as a sign of disrespect but rather an emotional response to scoring a crucial goal in a highly charged contest.

“I would like to offer my sincerest apologies for my celebration after scoring the goal in the match between RS Berkane and Raja Casablanca, which some considered excessive. I had absolutely no intention of offending anyone with my actions,” the player wrote.

Player Explains His Actions

The Senegalese forward further explained that the celebration was designed to represent determination and fighting spirit rather than provoke opponents or supporters.

At the same time, he acknowledged that many people viewed the gesture differently and accepted responsibility for the controversy that followed.

“Football is first and foremost a sport of respect, and I shouldn’t have let the excitement of the moment get the better of me in that way,” Bassene added.

The 25-year-old concluded his statement by reaffirming his commitment to fair play and promising to exercise greater caution in future matches.

Despite the apology, the disciplinary process remains active, with Moroccan football authorities set to determine whether his conduct violated competition regulations.