Wydad wins over OCK, faces federation penalty

2008-09-30

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation is expected to rule on Wydad Casablanca's illegal deployment of three internationals on the field during Sunday's round three match against OCK.

By Naoufel Cherkaoui for Magharebia in Rabat – 30/09/08

[Naoufel Cherkaoui] OCK Khouribga players protest against WAC Casablanca allowing a third foreign player on the pitch.

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) will announce its decision in ten days concerning the dispute which arose between WAC Casablanca and OCK Khouribga over a match last Sunday (September 28th).

The dispute started in the third round of the Moroccan Football Premier League when WAC Casablanca coach Baddou Zaki fielded three foreign players to play in the match, in violation of federation rules that only allow two. WAC Casablanca won the match, 1-0.

Zaki said he made a mistake and is ready to take the consequences.

In another match, Moghreb Tétouan hosted Raja Casablanca for a match that ended in a 1-1 tie. During the first half of the game Raja showed superior performance, but Tétouan came back revitalised in the second half. Tétouan looked on track for a win when striker Pierre Koko scored in the 67th minute, but Raja midfielder Abdellah Jlaidi responded in kind just minutes before the match's end.

FAR Rabat and Jeunesse Sportive El Massira (JSM) also played to a 1-1 draw. KAC Kénitra, who are dealing with internal problems, defeated neighbours AS Salé 2-1.

Kénitra didn't give their guests any time to relax, opening scoring in the 7th minute through Eric Traouré. Elio Kanté of Salé evened the odds when he chipped the ball over KAC Kénitra's goalkeeper and scored. Then Kénitra's Abdessamad Elbouzidi – formerly of AS Salé – scored the second goal in the 87th minute.

MAS Fès and KACM Marrakech played to a goalless draw despite many scoring opportunities in the match.

Last Saturday, IZK Khemisset defeated guests Olympique Safi 1-0.

At the beginning of the second half, IZK's Driss Belaamri managed to score the match's only goal in the 47th minute. The referee pulled a red card in the 88th minute against Safi captain Abdessadeq Hafid after he strongly protested against the referee for not ruling a penalty when his teammate Nemli was tripped by IZK goalkeeper Issam Badda. Abderahmane Rafiq then failed to score from the spot in the 92nd minute as his shot was cleared by goalkeeper Issam Badda.

Difaa El Jadida hosted Chabab Mohammedia, defeating their guests 2-1.

Mouloudia Oujda, who lost their two previous matches in the last two rounds, defeated Hassania Agadir 1-0.

Following the matches of this round, Moghreb Tétouan tops the rankings with seven points, KACM Marrakech are listed in second, and Wydad Casablanca came third with the same number of points.