Abderrahim El Arjoun has been appointed national technical director of refereeing, replacing Redouane Jiyed following months of criticism over refereeing standards in Moroccan football.
The National Professional Football League (LNFP) announced the appointment on Friday, saying the change was intended to improve refereeing standards and address shortcomings in the sector.
Jiyed, however, will remain within the refereeing setup, taking charge of the initial and continuing training of match officials.
The reshuffle came a day after LNFP president Abdesslam Belkchour publicly criticized the National Refereeing Directorate (DNA) and its outgoing chief.
“I am dissatisfied with the performances of refereeing, the DNA, and even its director personally,” Belkchour told Radio Mars on Thursday.
He said the league had expected greater progress and wanted the shortcomings addressed.
Belkchour acknowledged Jiyed’s standing as a former referee but questioned his performance since taking charge of the directorate.
“He is one of Morocco’s best referees,” he said, recalling that Jiyed had taken up the post shortly after retiring and initially enjoyed good relations with match officials.
“But many of them have recently called for his resignation,” Belkchour added.
In announcing Jiyed’s new assignment, the league cited his experience in refereeing at continental and international level.
