Corruption watchdog demands probe into management of Moroccan athletics federation

The National Authority for Combating Corruption in Sports has called for a comprehensive investigation into the management of the Royal Moroccan Athletics Federation, following concerns over poor preparation of athletes for international competitions. 

The call comes after no Moroccan athlete met the minimum qualifications required by the International Athletics Federation for the 2026 World Athletics Championships, highlighting significant issues within the federation’s management.

In a statement received by Hespress, the authority expressed concerns that the federation’s failure to prepare athletes adequately for the World Athletics Indoor Championships, scheduled for March 2026 in Nanjing, China, exposes deep flaws in the federation’s operations. 

The authority also criticized the limited participation of only three athletes based on world rankings, calling it a “sporting scandal” that raises serious questions about resource management and the absence of clear training programs.

The authority emphasized that the Royal Moroccan Athletics Federation is lacking a strategic vision to develop a new generation of competitive athletes, and pointed to a clear neglect in preparing athletes for international challenges. 

The National Authority noted that the federation is not adhering to principles of good governance, particularly in financial and administrative management, and highlighted the violation of Law No. 09.30 regarding the duration of presidencies within sports federations.

Abdeslam Ahizoune 19-year tenure at the helm of the federation was cited as a breach of the principle of responsibility rotation. 

The authority called for urgent action, urging the application of accountability in the federation’s management, and reaffirming their intention to pursue all available legal avenues to ensure transparency and integrity in Morocco’s national sports sector.