The Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) ethics committee suspended Abdellah Hassouni, the coach of Al Boughaz Tangier Women’s Football Association, for five years and fined him 50,000 MAD, following two complaints by women players of sexual harassment, according to FRMF release on Wednesday.
Last year, two players on Hassouni’s team accused the coach of sexual misconduct and inappropriate touching. In December 2023, the FRMF Ethics Commission announced that he would be provisionally suspended subject to an investigation.
Yesterday, the ethics committee revealed its verdict, finding cause to suspend and fine the coach.
In her complaint, the second victim alleged that, in addition to having been touched in the same way as her teammate has been, Hassouni had invited her for dinner. When the victim arrived and noticed the absence of the rest of the squad, she objected. He informed her without blinking an eyelash that it was a “tryst.”
The ethics committee sanctions may not be the end of the case against Hassouni. The complainants have allegedly filed complaints with the prosecutor at the Tangier court of first instance who may decide to take it up as a criminal matter.