Achraf Hakimi to stand trial for rape after court rejects appeal

The Versailles Court of Appeal on Friday upheld the decision to refer Morocco international Achraf Hakimi to the departmental criminal court, where he will stand trial on a rape charge. The court’s investigating chamber rejected an appeal filed by the Moroccan defender seeking to overturn the referral order and have the case dismissed. In a statement, the court said: «The investigations carried out during the preliminary inquiry and the judicial investigation led the investigating

Ajax signs Moroccan international Fouad Zahouani

Ajax are set to sign Moroccan defender Fouad Zahouani from Union Touarga Sportif, according to Dutch media. The 20-year-old left-back, who can also play in central defense, has reached an agreement in principle with the Dutch club, with only the final administrative formalities and contract details still to be completed. Zahouani is expected to initially join Jong Ajax, the club’s reserve side, with the aim of eventually earning promotion to the first team. The defender had attracted

Ouahbi: Scotland will pose different problems for Morocco

Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi struck a calm and confident tone on Thursday ahead of his side’s Group C clash against Scotland at the 2026 World Cup, stressing that the Atlas Lions are ready for a new challenge following their performance against Brazil. Speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of Friday’s game at Boston Stadium, Ouahbi said every match presents its own challenges and requires different solutions on the pitch. «Tomorrow is a different game.

Defense: FAR Inspector General holds talks with French Chief of Defence Staff

The Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), General Mohammed Berrid, is on a working visit to Paris. On Thursday, he held talks with the Chief of Staff of the French Armed Forces, General Fabien Mandon, who has been in the post since September 1, 2025. «Our armies maintain a strong bilateral relationship. One built over the long term and firmly focused on the future,» Mandon wrote on X. Officially, this is the third meeting between the two generals, following their

Gambian FM delivers message from President Barrow to King Mohammed VI

Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita received on Thursday in Rabat Sering Modou Njie, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, who was acting as a special envoy of Gambian President Adama Barrow and carrying a written message to King Mohammed VI. Speaking to the press following the meeting, Njie praised the ties of friendship and brotherhood between Morocco and The Gambia, as well as the shared commitment to

Morocco rights group warns of online child sexual exploitation

The child protection organization Don’t Touch My Child has raised the alarm over what it describes as a «dangerous digital shift» in crimes involving the sexual exploitation and trafficking of minors in Morocco. In a statement, the group warned that social media platforms and digital applications are increasingly being used to lure children into situations of sexual abuse and exploitation, calling for stronger security measures and stricter judicial oversight. Speaking to

Polisario accused of systematic abuses in Tindouf camps before UN Fourth Committee

In an address before the Fourth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, Mohamed El Aissaoui, a representative of the organization Reducing Human Rights Violations in the Tindouf Camps, denounced what he described as the «continued systematic human rights violations» taking place in the Tindouf camps on Algerian territory. He accused the Polisario Front of involvement in these abuses, citing what he called «Algerian complicity and international silence». El

Feyenoord talent Nassim El Harmouz chooses to represent Morocco internationally

Morocco has secured the international allegiance of Feyenoord prospect Nassim El Harmouz, who has chosen to represent the Atlas Lions internationally, according to Spanish outlet AS. Born in the Netherlands and holding both Dutch and Moroccan nationality, El Harmouz has reportedly completed the procedures required to represent Morocco internationally. FIFA has reportedly updated its official records to reflect the change. A product of Feyenoord’s youth academy, the 19-year-old

Morocco braces for weekend heatwave as temperatures soar to 45°C

A heatwave is expected to affect several regions of Morocco from Friday through Sunday, according to the Directorate General of Meteorology (DGM). Temperatures ranging from 39°C to 42°C are forecast on Saturday and Sunday in the provinces of Taza, Berkane, Oujda-Angad, Fez, Moulay Yacoub and Taounate, the DGM said in an orange-level weather alert. The agency also warned of even higher temperatures, ranging between 40°C and 45°C, in the provinces of

Morocco futsal team beats Montenegro at Croatia tournament

Morocco’s national futsal team defeated Montenegro 4-1 on Thursday in Poreč, in a match that was part of the Croatia international tournament. The Atlas Lions’ goals were scored by Youssef Jaouad, Mohamed Kamal, Mohamed Boullouh, and Saad Allah El Hajjibi. The participation of Hicham Dguig’s players in this friendly tournament is part of their preparation for upcoming fixtures.

360-million-year-old fossil traces bring Morocco’s ancient sea back to life

A team of Moroccan and international researchers has uncovered an exceptionally diverse collection of 360-million-year-old fossil traces in the eastern Anti-Atlas, shedding new light on life in Morocco’s ancient seas just before one of the largest mass extinctions in Earth’s history. The fossils were discovered in the Aoufilal Formation near Taouz, in southeastern Morocco. Unlike bones or shells, these are trace fossils, the tracks, burrows and resting marks left behind by animals

Sánchez hails Morocco, Spain and Portugal cooperation for 2030 World Cup

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Wednesday highlighted the strong symbolism of cooperation between Spain, Morocco and Portugal as the three countries prepare to jointly host the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Speaking at the third meeting of the interministerial committee overseeing preparations for the tournament in Madrid, Sánchez said Spain was taking on the challenge alongside «two friendly and neighboring countries», Morocco and Portugal, according to a statement

Morocco FAR signs deal with Harmattan AI for autonomous defense systems

The Royal Armed Forces (FAR) have signed a strategic partnership agreement with Harmattan AI, the French defense technology company announced in a statement. According to the company, the agreement aims to «establish production capabilities in Morocco for the manufacturing of autonomous defense systems, create an ambitious research and development center dedicated to artificial intelligence for defense applications, and develop partnerships with Moroccan higher education and research

Jadyetu Mahmoud urges UN probe into sexual violence allegations against Brahim Ghali

The president of the International Human Rights Network (RIDH), Jadyetu Mahmoud, has denounced the sexual violence she says she suffered and reiterated her accusations against Polisario Front leader Brahim Ghali. Speaking at a recent conference held at the Swiss Press Club in Geneva, the activist condemned what she described as the impunity surrounding violations of the rights of women in vulnerable situations. Mahmoud called on «international organizations, United Nations mechanisms and

Morocco–Philippines: Half a century of cooperation

Fifty years after Morocco and the Philippines established diplomatic relations, ties between the two countries continue to strengthen. In an interview with MAP, Philippine Ambassador to Morocco Leslie Baja highlighted the steady growth in bilateral exchanges, noting that trade between the two nations has increased by around 50% in recent years. The ambassador stressed, however, that current trade levels remain below the full potential of the partnership. He pointed to the complementarities

Recruitment of Moroccan bus drivers sparks political controversy in Italy

A plan to recruit bus drivers from Morocco is stirring controversy in Italy, where a right-wing political movement has criticized the initiative and called for priority to be given to Italian jobseekers. The debate centers on ATAP, a public transport company serving the provinces of Vercelli and Biella in the northern Piedmont region. The company recently announced plans to hire drivers from Morocco to address staff shortages affecting local bus services. In a statement issued on June 16,

Spain delays Bildu question on death of Lahbib Mohamed Abdelaziz

The Spanish government has chosen to hold off on answering a parliamentary question submitted by the Basque pro-independence coalition Bildu concerning the death of Lahbib Mohamed Abdelaziz, announced on June 7. The question, initially scheduled for the agenda of the executive’s weekly accountability session, has been postponed until next Wednesday due to the absence of Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, according to the conservative daily ABC. Sources close to Prime Minister

Morocco majority rejects fuel price cap and Samir takeover bills

The opposition did not have long to savor its victory in the House of Councillors. Last week, it managed to push through, in committee, two draft laws: one to cap fuel prices and the other to transfer Samir’s assets to the Moroccan state. However, during the plenary session held Tuesday night, the majority struck back. Supported by the employers’ group as well as the General Union of Workers in Morocco (UGTM), the trade-union arm of the Istiqlal Party, it rejected both texts by 29