The Moroccan football club Wydad, finds itself at the end of a dismal chapter in its history, plagued by a series of setbacks that have left fans disheartened.
Despite participating in various local, Arab, and African tournaments, Wydad failed to secure any titles this year, a stark departure from its illustrious past.
The club relinquished its grip on five championships, faltering in the Moroccan League, where it had secured consecutive victories for the previous two seasons.
Additionally, Wydad bowed out in the semifinals of the Moroccan Throne Cup, losing the African Champions League title to Egypt’s Al Ahly.
The woes extended to the Arab Championship, where Wydad exited during the group stage of the King Salman Cup, and the African Super Cup eluded them, succumbing to South Africa’s Sundowns.
A revolving door of seven coaches characterized Wydad’s tumultuous journey this year, from Hossam Amotta to Hassan Benabicha, Mehdi Nafati, Juan Carlos Garrido, Sven Vandenbroeck, Adel Rmzy, and finally, the seasoned Fawzi Benzarti.
Financially, the club faced a hefty penalty of $5 million from sports arbitration, including a recent ruling against a player, Walter Bwalya, who was absent from a single training session.
The controversy revealed the club had exceeded the allowable number of foreign players, resulting in a $250,000 fine.
Wydad’s activity in the transfer market was frenetic, with over 25 new signings and trials involving 39 players, all yielding limited success.
The club’s president became embroiled in a complex legal battle, leading to his arrest and the appointment of an interim committee to manage the club amid delayed general assemblies.
The ramifications also deprived Wydad of television broadcasting rewards, normally distributed by the football association to clubs.As 2023 draws to a close, the year stands as a somber chapter in the history of this illustrious football institution.
