One of the most notable events in recent news concerns Said Naciri, president of Wydad Casablanca, a renowned football club in Morocco. However, it is not for his sporting successes that Naciri is talked about, but rather for his involvement in a drug trafficking case.
Aged 54, Naciri was arrested and detained on December 22, following serious accusations against him. He faces several charges, including falsifying official documents, drug possession and distribution, and using counterfeit checks. According to some media sources, he is also charged with money laundering.
This arrest follows a wide-ranging investigation in which 25 people were involved, 21 of whom are currently detained. Among them, we also find Abdenbi Bioui, president of the Oriental regional council and member of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), a political group which is part of the government coalition.
The investigation was launched following statements from a Malian national, already convicted in Morocco for drug trafficking, who implicated Naciri in these criminal activities. The magazine Jeune Afrique had also identified this Malian under the name of El Hadj Ahmed Ben Ibrahim, a drug lord convicted in 2019.
This affair sparked strong reactions in Morocco, both in the football world and in the political sphere. Wydad Casablanca, one of the most successful clubs in the country, will have to organize an extraordinary general assembly to elect a new president, following Naciri’s involvement in this affair.
This sad story highlights the dangers that can be faced by football clubs, which are often institutions respected and admired by the population. She also recalls the importance of carrying out in-depth investigations to combat drug trafficking, which remains a major problem in many countries.
In conclusion, the drug trafficking case involving Said Naciri of Wydad Casablanca raises many questions about the integrity of people in positions of power and influence. It also highlights the continued efforts needed to combat organized crime and ensure transparency in sports.