The General Prosecutor at the Court of Appeal in Casablanca has initiated an investigation into allegations of embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds linked to the prominent sports complex, Mohammed V, by referring the case to the National Judicial Police Division.
The investigation was set in motion following a formal complaint submitted one month ago by the regional branch of the Moroccan Association for Protecting Public Funds to the General Prosecutor at the Court of Appeal in Casablanca.
The complaint was triggered by a report from the Regional Accounts Council (Casablanca-Settat region) released in February of the previous year, which exposed irregularities during the rehabilitation and repair of the Mohammed V sports complex in Casablanca.
According to the association’s complaint, the report from the Regional Accounts Council shed light on various financial and accounting discrepancies that occurred during the renovation process.
The report also highlighted the questionable disbursement of substantial sums of public money to three local development companies involved in the project.
The case involves an alleged misappropriation of approximately 22 million Moroccan dirhams, which were initially designated by the previous municipal council for the renovation and repair of the iconic “Stade du D’Honneur” within the Mohammed V sports complex.
Mismanagement of the allocated funds has resulted in the emergence of structural problems, including the closure of area 6 and the discovery of cracks in the stadium walls, triggering public outrage.
In a Facebook post, Mohammed Alghloussi, President of the Moroccan Association for Protecting Public Funds, commended the decision to refer the Mohammed V sports complex file to the Police as a positive step towards combating corruption in the sports sector.
He expressed his optimism that the investigation will pave the way for uncovering other instances of corruption within the sports industry.
Alghloussi emphasized the importance of holding all individuals involved accountable, regardless of their positions and roles. He viewed this as a crucial demonstration of the judiciary’s commitment to eradicating corruption and bolstering public trust.
In response to the complaint filed by the Moroccan Association for Protecting Public Funds, the Casablanca Municipal Council is gearing up to terminate the contract of the local development company responsible for managing the Mohammed V sports complex, known as “Casa Events.”
Instead, the management of the “Stade du D’Honneur” will be entrusted to the National Company for Sports Facilities Management, “Sonarges.”
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.