MP and journalist jailed over World Cup 2022 ticket scandal

An MP and a journalist involved in the 2022 World Cup ticket scandal have been sentenced to prison for attempted fraud during the international event.

The verdict pertains to the mysterious disappearance of part of the tickets given to Moroccan fans during the semi-final match between the Atlas Lions and France.

Last night, the Casablanca Court of First Instance handed down prison sentences to the two defendants.

RNI MP Mohamed El Haidaoui, president of Olympique Safi soccer club and member of the board of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), was sentenced to one and a half years’ imprisonment and a fine of MAD 2,000.

Journalist Adel El Omari, host of Radio Mars, was sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment and a fine of MAD 1,000.

Youssef Khalidi, a member of Haidaoui’s defense, explained that “the defendants were heard in the file, as the court calculates that its chest was ample in this aspect,” highlighting that “the formal payments were devoid of any complaints, as the FRMF did not file any complaints regarding the crime of fraud.”

Khalidi confirmed, in a statement to Hespress, that “there is no complainant in the case,” adding that “the president of Olympic Safi encouraged the national football team with his own money, along with his parliamentary friends,” before indicating that “a complaint has been filed against the person who published the tape against Haidaoui without his consent, as well as without the permission of the relevant judicial bodies.”

The two defendants are charged with attempted fraud and selling tickets at a high price. They were brought before the public prosecutor at the Casablanca court of first instance on May 8.

The disappearance of tickets for the match between Morocco and France on Wednesday December 14 led to incidents in Doha, prompting RAM to cancel seven flights from the Kingdom to Qatar for Moroccan supporters.