A high school student has lodged a complaint with the public prosecutor at the Court of Appeal in Rabat, accusing her coach of «sexual harassment, attempted indecent assault, and blackmail in exchange for international participation». This development was reported by the newspaper Al-Sabah.
Mohamed El-Massafi, the lawyer representing the student, explained that the incident occurred at a high school for excellence in sports and education in the Rabat region. This institution is known for training aspiring champions in various sports.
El-Massafi, appointed by the student's family, cited preliminary evidence, including testimonies from fellow athlete students and companions. The allegations surfaced after the coach was reportedly found knocking on the student's hotel room door in South Korea at midnight while intoxicated, during an international sports event. El-Massafi added, «If it weren't for their intervention, worse could have happened to his client.»
Upon returning to Morocco, the student's mother approached the head of the educational institution to file a complaint, but no action was taken against the coach, according to El-Massafi. The situation escalated when the student was allegedly deprived of participating in a sports event in France. Furthermore, the coach, allegedly in agreement with the sports director, suspended her from classes for a week without justification.
The 16-year-old student, currently in her first year of baccalaureate studies, has decided, along with her family, to pause her education until the complaint is resolved. Following the involvement of the judiciary, the school's administration has been on high alert, with various departments preparing to determine responsibilities and arrange penalties.