Assahafa.com
Moroccan international referee Bouchra Karboubi has announced her retirement from football refereeing in a strongly worded letter addressed to Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).
In the letter, she accused the National Arbitration Directorate of blocking her progress and ending her career prematurely.
Initially in the letter, Karboubi expressed her pride in representing Morocco on the international stage. She thanked King Mohammed VI for his support to athletes, especially women, and acknowledged Lekjaa’s role in guiding her throughout her career.
She wrote: “I have represented my country in the best way possible in all the international competitions where I was called to officiate. I was proud to see the name of Morocco present on the continental and global stage. I achieved this thanks to your efforts in service of the Nation.”
But the tone of her message changed sharply when addressing recent events. Karboubi accused the leadership of the National Arbitration Directorate of “practices” that, she says, damaged her career and erased years of work.
“It is with deep regret that I find myself today facing harmful practices from the director of the National Arbitration Directorate and its members,” she wrote.
She argued that their actions “disrupted” her path, “tarnished” her past and future achievements, and “destroyed an entire project.” “This pushed me to end a career to which I dedicated 25 years of my life.”
Her announcement came only hours after the list of Moroccan referees selected for AFCON Morocco 2025 was published, a list she was not included in. The National Arbitration Directorate has not yet commented on her accusations or on her retirement.
At 38 years old, Karboubi is considered one of the best referees in Africa. She recently officiated the opening match of the first-ever Women’s Champions Cup between Jiangda WFC and Auckland United FC.
She officiated major competitions throughout her career, including the Botola, the Throne Cup, the Olympic Games, the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and the Africa Cup of Nations.
She hoped to referee matches at the 2026 Men’s World Cup and the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
News of her retirement and accusations sparked strong reactions from readers and football fans. “Our society is infected with favoritism and special privileges… Better to leave with your head held high than to bow down,” one social media user said.
Others called for an urgent investigation. “I thought these old practices were finished, but clearly not,” one person wrote. “The federation must act firmly.”
The FRMF has not yet issued a statement in response to the controversy.
Source: Morocco word news
