Inside the Decline of Morocco's Botola Pro
Rabat – While Morocco's national football team has recently shone on the global stage, the Botola Pro league, the heart of Moroccan football, faces a concerning decline.
In a recent interview with Morocco World News, sports analyst Abderrahim Ouchrif and sports law professor Moncef Lyazghi talked about the league's worrying decline. They pointed to key issues related to management, finance, player development, infrastructure, and media coverage. Management and Financial Crisis
One of the biggest problems facing the Botola Pro is poor management. According to Ouchrif, many team managers simply don't have the academic background or strategic vision needed to run a professional football club. 'A major issue is the lack of proper management; most team managers aren't academically trained, have limited experience, and lack a clear, strategic plan,' he said.
The financial situation makes things even worse. 'It's clear that most clubs are drowning in debt, which makes it nearly impossible for them to sign new players. 60 percent of clubs this year were banned from making transfers because of their financial problems,' he added Player Development and Coaching Issues
Money problems are hurting both player development and the competitiveness of teams.q
Ouchrif explained that a lot of clubs just don't pay enough attention to their youth academies, especially when it comes to training goal scorers, which are essential for any successful team.
'The league's top scorer only managed 11 goals this season, a low number for an entire tournament, and a clear sign of how much offensive play is struggling,' Ouchrif explained.
Some clubs, like Fath Union Sport, RS Berkane, and Union Touarga, are doing better with youth development. But the big teams, like Wydad and Raja in Casablanca, are still struggling. As Ouchrif pointed out, 'around 90% of their players come from outside the club instead of their academies.'
Coaching instability is another problem that's dragging down the quality of the game. Moroccan coaches often lean toward defensive tactics, not necessarily by choice, but because they fear losing their jobs.
On top of that, they rarely get the backing they need from club management. 'Coaches aren't given the freedom to apply their ideas,' Ouchrif said. 'That lack of trust leads to poor performances on the pitch, and fans start to lose interest.' Infrastructure Challenges and Security Issues
Stadium renovations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 World Cup have caused logistical and performance challenges. 'Teams like Hassania Agadir, Youssoufia Berrechid, and Rabat clubs have relocated to stadiums far from them, raising costs and lacking fan support,' Lyazghi said.
The Casablanca teams' relocation from Mohamed V Stadium to Larbi Zaouli Stadium also disturbed preparations and attendance of supporters.
Also, Fan behavior and stadium security cause additional challenges. Lyazghi highlighted fan riots as disruptive factors causing punishments, financial losses, and forced relocations. 'Empty stadiums hurt the game's energy and finances,' he said, pushing for stronger security, clear rules, and better fan awareness. Media and Refereeing Weaknesses
Poor refereeing also weakens the league. Refereeing mistakes frequently occur despite VAR technology, leading to frustration among players and supporters, Ouchrif said.
Additionally, poor media coverage further limits Botola's growth potential. 'Botola struggles to create visibility for its players and teams,' he observed. Strong media support is crucial for attracting sponsorship, fan excitement, and enhancing player recognition. Federation's Role and Recommended Solutions
While the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has made remarkable efforts in funding and setting standards, its focus favors national teams. 'FRMF appears to be moving at two speeds, rapid advancement for national teams but slower progress for Botola,' Lyazghi pointed out.
He suggested building on successful programs like the Mohammed VI Academy and OCP Group's training centers to strengthen Botola. 'With the right strategy, this project could be the key to strengthening the league,' Lyazghi concluded.
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