Widad Temara sanctioned after fielding ineligible player against Wydad

Widad Temara have been deducted a point and fined 5,000 Moroccan dirhams after being found guilty of fielding an ineligible player in their match against Wydad Athletic Club.

The Moroccan Professional Football League has also awarded Wydad a 3-0 administrative victory, overturning the original result and handing the Casablanca-based club three points.

The disciplinary action follows a ruling that Widad Temara fielded Imad Babassa despite the player being ineligible to feature in the encounter.

However, Widad Temara have strongly rejected the decision, insisting they were not properly notified of Babassa’s suspension before the match.

The club argues that it was not officially informed of the player’s disciplinary status and believes the circumstances surrounding his eligibility should be reconsidered.

Widad Temara have consequently announced their intention to appeal the ruling, with the club prepared to take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) if necessary.

The dispute could therefore extend beyond the domestic disciplinary authorities, with CAS potentially becoming involved if the club exhausts the available appeal procedures in Morocco.

For Wydad, the decision represents a significant boost, as the administrative victory secures three points from the fixture.

The case also highlights the importance of disciplinary communication and player registration procedures in Moroccan football, with Widad Temara maintaining that they should not be held responsible for information they claim was never formally communicated to them.