Senegal FA relieved by CAF decision on AFCON final, will not appeal

The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has officially reacted the ruling issued by the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) Disciplinary Committee following the chaotic 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco. The decision appears to have been met with relief in Dakar, where concerns had been growing over the possibility of far harsher sanctions. In a statement released on Saturday, the FSF said it had «taken official note of decision DC23315 rendered on

AFCON final sanctions : Motsepe trapped by his own disciplinary committee

Patrice Motsepe, the President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), finds himself in a precarious situation following the disciplinary committee's controversial ruling on the incidents during the Morocco-Senegal final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. While he refrains from directly questioning the judicial body's decision, Motsepe's statements reflect a sense of unease and frustration, masked by carefully crafted institutional language. «I was extremely disappointed with the

Moroccan music icon Abdelhadi Belkhayat passes away at 86

Veteran Moroccan artist Abdelhadi Belkhayat passed away on the evening of Friday, January 30, at the age of 86, following a long illness. He died at the Military Hospital in Rabat, according to informed sources. Belkhayat is regarded as one of the pillars of authentic Moroccan music, with a rich artistic career spanning several decades. In 2012, he chose to retire from singing and devote himself to religious chanting. The late artist was urgently transferred on Monday, January 5, 2026, to the

Floods force school closures in Ksar El-Kebir for safety

The Regional Directorate of the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports in Larache Province has decided to suspend classes in all public and private educational institutions within the territorial jurisdiction of the city of Ksar El-Kebir. The suspension will take effect from Monday, February 2, through Saturday, February 7, 2026, due to the flooding that has affected the city following severe weather conditions. According to an official statement obtained by Yabiladi, the

Moroccan DGST aids Austria in foiling major IS terror plot

Austrian authorities, with the assistance of Morocco's General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST), have arrested an Austrian citizen in a significant anti-terrorism operation. The individual is accused of having connections with the terrorist organization «Islamic State» (IS) and plotting large-scale attacks within Austria. The pivotal role of the DGST in this operation was lauded by Jörg Leichtfried, Secretary of State for the Protection of the Constitution, and

Floods: National monitoring committee reviews immediate response measures

The meeting of the National Monitoring Committee in charge of managing and tracking flood-related events, held on Friday in Rabat, provided an opportunity to review the coordination of a collective response aimed at ensuring an immediate intervention and the deployment of human and logistical resources to support and assist populations affected by the exceptional weather conditions impacting several regions of the Kingdom, Minister of Equipment and Water Nizar Baraka said. Speaking to the

Sidi Kacem: Field mobilization and emergency response to flooding

Local authorities in Sidi Kacem province have launched wide-scale emergency operations in response to severe weather conditions marked by exceptional rainfall, which caused a significant rise in water levels in several wadis and disrupted traffic on multiple roads. All municipalities across the province have been affected, prompting the mobilization of provincial authorities, the Regional Multiservice Company (SRM), the regional directorate of Equipment and Transport, and Civil Protection

Marrakech court sentences former mayor in COP22 contracts Scandal

The Criminal Chamber for Financial Crimes at the Marrakech Court of Appeals on Friday, January 30, delivered its verdict in the case known as the «COP22 contracts scandal», a file estimated to have cost around 280 million dirhams. The case involves Mohamed Larbi Belcaid, former mayor of Marrakech from the Justice and Development Party (PJD), and his first deputy Younes Bensliman, who later left the PJD to join the National Rally of Independents (RNI). Both were

King Mohammed VI orders army deployment to aid victims of severe weather

In response to the adverse weather conditions currently affecting the Kingdom, King Mohammed VI, Supreme Commander and Chief of the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), has issued High Royal Instructions for the Royal Armed Forces to intervene immediately through the mobilization of significant human and logistical resources. In this context, and in coordination with the Ministry of the Interior and local authorities, intervention units have been deployed, supported by the necessary

Two arrested near Nador in alleged sexual assault of a minor

The Royal Gendarmerie in Al Aaroui, in coordination with their counterparts in Zaio, under the jurisdiction of Nador province, arrested two individuals on Wednesday on suspicion of assaulting a 16-year-old minor. According local newspaper Nador City, the victim was lured via an instant messaging application before being assaulted. The operation followed a report received by the Royal Gendarmerie in Al Araoui, prompting the immediate mobilization of the relevant units. A coordinated security

Rabat court postpones trial of Senegalese fans after AFCON riots

The Rabat Criminal Court on Thursday adjourned the case involving Senegalese supporters and an Algerian national accused of involvement in the riots during the Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal. The hearing was postponed until February 5, due to the lawyers’ nationwide strike protesting the professional law. The decision came after the defendants, 19 individuals currently in pretrial detention, asserted their right to have their lawyers present during the

Storm Kristin disrupts Algeciras port operations stranding trucks to Morocco

Thousands of trucks bound for Morocco, along with their drivers, were left stranded on Wednesday in and around the Port of Algeciras after all parking areas reached full capacity. The disruption was caused by near-total paralysis at the port due to Storm Kristin and severe maritime weather conditions. Many drivers were forced to spend the night in their cabins while waiting for authorization to enter the port. By Thursday morning, January 29, port authorities began to gradually

Morocco and France reaffirm strategic partnership and support for territorial integrity

On Thursday in Rabat, the presidents of the French National Assembly and Senate reaffirmed France’s support for Morocco’s territorial integrity during the fifth session of the Moroccan-French Parliamentary Forum. This position, previously expressed by President Emmanuel Macron in a message to King Mohammed VI on July 30, 2024, and reiterated during his address to the Moroccan Parliament on October 29, 2024, was once again underscored. The session concluded at the House of

Future Marsa signs Moroccan defender Soufiane El Mestari

Future Marsa Club, which competes in Tunisia’s Professional Football League 1, has announced the completion of contract procedures with former Maghreb Fès defender Soufiane El Mestari. Sabri Ayari, Vice President of Future Marsa, confirmed in a press statement on Friday that the club strengthened its squad during the winter transfer window by signing three foreign players: Moroccan defender Soufiane El Mestari, Angolan midfielder Victorino Bulako, and Ivorian player Youssef

Heavy showers and strong winds to hit Morocco this weekend

The General Directorate of Meteorology has issued a warning about heavy rainfall and strong winds expected to hit several regions of the kingdom starting today, Friday, and continuing into tomorrow, Saturday. In a «orange» alert bulletin, the directorate indicated that significant rainfall, ranging between 40 to 60 mm, is anticipated in the provinces of Larache, Al Hoceima, Taounate, and Chefchaouen. Meanwhile, rainfall between 20 to 40 mm is expected in the areas of Moulay Yacoub,

Polisario delegation guided by Algeria in key Washington talks

A week after the January 22 meeting in Washington between a senior official from the Trump administration and a Polisario Front delegation, fresh insights have surfaced regarding the strategic preparations leading up to this significant encounter. A source familiar with the situation revealed that during prior meetings in Algiers, Algerian officials provided guidance on how the Polisario delegation should navigate their discussions with the American side before heading to the United

Ksar el-Kebir evacuates 13 neighborhoods amid Loukkos River flooding

On Thursday evening, authorities launched large-scale evacuation operations in the city of Ksar el-Kebir, affecting 13 residential neighborhoods, as the Loukkos River overflowed and reached critical levels. The measures included cutting electricity to several key facilities, amid official warnings of heavy rainfall forecast in the coming days. The evacuations targeted densely populated areas. Local authorities continued to urge residents to leave their homes to avoid being trapped by rising

Tesla launches operations in Morocco with first Casablanca location

Tesla has announced the launch of its operations in Morocco, marking its official entry into the local market and the opening of its first physical presence in the country. In a press release, the American electric vehicle manufacturer said it will activate its online configurator in Morocco on Friday, February 6, allowing customers to configure and order Tesla vehicles locally for the first time. On the same day, Tesla will inaugurate its first pop-up store in Casablanca, located at Anfaplace