Wydad face AS FAR transfer challenge as FIFA sanctions increase pressure

Wydad AC face the prospect of losing out to rivals AS FAR in the race to sign defender Faraji Karmoun, while a fresh FIFA ruling has increased the pressure on the Moroccan club to resolve its outstanding disputes before the new season begins.

AS FAR have entered negotiations for Karmoun during the current summer transfer window as they look to strengthen their defence following the departures of Younes Abdelhamid and Nouh El Abed.

Wydad had initially been in the strongest position to complete the deal. The club had secured the player’s approval and received the consent of his current side Olympique Safi, but AS FAR’s intervention has changed the course of the negotiations.

The military club has reportedly made a better financial offer than Wydad, delaying the defender’s proposed move to the Casablanca side. Moroccan website Sport7 reported that the development prompted Olympique Safi to increase its financial demands and decide that Karmoun would join whichever club submits the most attractive offer.

The transfer setback comes as Wydad continue to deal with a growing number of legal and financial cases.

FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber has issued a new ruling against Wydad in a case involving one of the club’s former foreign players. The decision takes the number of final rulings against the club to five.

Wydad must settle all five cases if it is to have its transfer ban lifted and register new signings for the forthcoming campaign. The latest ruling adds to the work facing president Ibrahim Al-Asri, who is attempting to close disputes accumulated over recent years.

According to Sport7, Wydad currently have five cases to resolve through FIFA, as well as more than seven additional files before Morocco’s National Disputes Committee.

Al-Asri has been working to address the problems inherited from the previous administration, led by Hicham Ait Menna. A number of players have taken their claims to the disputes committee to seek unpaid wages or request the unilateral termination of their contracts.

Those cases have left the current leadership with the task of reaching settlements while also preparing the squad for the start of the new season. The club’s ability to register incoming players remains dependent on progress in resolving the disputes and removing the FIFA-imposed restriction.

Wydad are also trying to retain key members of their existing squad. Negotiations with goalkeeper Mehdi Benabid have reached an advanced stage as the club seeks to persuade him to renew his contract and remain with the team.

Moroccan outlet Le360 Sport reported that Wydad have submitted a new proposal to Benabid after paying all of the money owed to him. The goalkeeper is expected to make a final decision in the coming days.

The attempt to keep Benabid forms part of a wider effort by Al-Asri to stabilise the club amid the unresolved disputes. Wydad must now balance their work in the transfer market with the need to settle the financial cases that threaten to restrict their preparations for the season ahead.