CASABLANCA – South African-born Wydad Casablanca coach Rulani Mokwena has accused members of the opposition staff of subjecting him to racial abuse during his team’s 2-2 draw against IR Tanger in Morocco’s Botola Pro on Saturday.
The match, held at Larbi Zaouli Stadium, ended in a hard-fought stalemate, but it was the unsavoury comments directed at Mokwena after the final whistle that have since taken center stage.
In an emotional post-match press conference, Mokwena expressed his disappointment and frustration, stating he did not expect to face racial discrimination in a professional football environment.
“What makes me disappointed is that I was subjected to racist comments by the opposition,” Mokwena said, his voice steady but tinged with emotion. “I don’t think I came to Morocco to be racially abused. It’s not right, and it’s something I don’t think I deserve.”
The situation reportedly escalated after the match, with a physical confrontation breaking out between players from both sides, allegedly triggered by the racial slurs. Mokwena, who has endured a challenging start to life at Wydad, praised his staff for their swift support during the incident, saying their actions highlighted the unity within the club.
“In football, we fight, we shake hands, it’s part of the game,” he explained. “But once we cross the line and disrespect each other, it becomes a problem. I don’t disrespect anybody. Even the people I meet on the street, I make time to listen to them. I wasn’t raised that way.”
Mokwena thanked his team for their quick response in coming to his defense, saying it spoke volumes about the solidarity at Wydad. “I want to thank my staff because the moment they heard what was happening, they came to my defense. It shows how united we are as a group.”
Wydad Condemns the Racist Behavior
In a strongly worded statement, Wydad Casablanca condemned the racist remarks directed at their coach and called for the authorities to take action. According to the club, the offending remarks were made by a member of IR Tanger’s staff who was not on the pitch during the match but entered the field after the final whistle. The abusive language led to altercations between the two teams.
“Wydad strongly condemns the unfortunate events that followed the final whistle of the match,” the statement read. “Our coach, Mr. Mokwena, was subjected to unacceptable racist remarks from a member of Ittihad Tanger’s staff who had not been on the field during the match. His actions led to altercations between the players.”
The club also took issue with IR Tanger’s response, accusing them of trying to deflect attention away from the racist incident by focusing on unrelated matters. “This attempt to evade responsibility is incompatible with the sporting values that should unite clubs in fair competition,” Wydad’s statement continued. “Such behavior has no place in Morocco or its stadiums. We are committed to preserving the spirit of fair and honest competition.”
Wydad also reaffirmed the values of hospitality and respect that Morocco is known for, stressing that the country’s history of brotherhood should not be tarnished by such incidents.
“Morocco has always been and will remain a land of hospitality and brotherhood,” the statement said. “We call on the relevant authorities to take necessary measures to preserve the integrity of our sport.”
Mokwena’s Wydad Struggles in the Botola Pro
While Mokwena has shown resilience in the face of adversity, his tenure at Wydad has been a tough one so far. With just four wins from ten matches, his team sits in a disappointing sixth place in the Botola Pro standings, having earned 15 points from three draws and three losses.
Despite the results, Mokwena’s focus remains on moving past the challenges and building a stronger, more united team. His professionalism in dealing with the racial abuse, combined with his refusal to let the incident derail his focus, has garnered respect from many in the football world.
As Wydad looks to turn their season around, Mokwena will hope that his efforts on and off the field will be more remembered for their success than for the unfortunate events that have marred his time in Morocco.
