Wydad AC Debts: El Assri Pays 27 Million Dirhams, Ultimatum for Aït Menna on September 20
Wydad Athletic Club's new board, led by Ibrahim El Assri, has paid over 27 million dirhams to settle inherited debts, while giving former president Hicham Aït Menna until September 20 to honor his remaining financial commitments.
Wydad Athletic Club of Casablanca's new board, headed by Ibrahim El Assri, announced it has paid more than 27 million dirhams to settle part of the club's accumulated debts, according to an official statement issued on Sunday, September 13, 2026. Former president Hicham Aït Menna has been given until September 20 to honor additional financial commitments.
Background of the financial crisis
The statement follows the club's ordinary general assembly, which did not approve the previous management's financial report, a fact recorded in the minutes filed with local and supervisory authorities. The new board says that as soon as it took office, it launched "a broad operation to settle outstanding financial debts," which allowed several transfer bans to be lifted and several months of overdue salaries to be paid, for a total exceeding 27 million dirhams.
The statement also refers to a meeting bringing together Ibrahim El Assri, Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) president Fouzi Lekjaa, National Professional Football League (LNFP) president Abdeslam Belkchour, and former president Hicham Aït Menna. Aït Menna had committed to lifting the remaining transfer bans, worth up to 26 million dirhams, before September 7, 2026, as well as settling a player transfer fee estimated at 20 million dirhams before the end of the year.
After the September 7 deadline passed without Aït Menna fulfilling his commitments, a second meeting was held with the same parties, during which the former president renewed his pledge to resolve the outstanding financial situation before September 20.
Implications for the club
These developments come at a sensitive time for Wydad AC, which is seeking to stabilize its administrative and financial situation ahead of domestic and continental competitions. If Aït Menna fails to honor his commitments, the continued transfer bans would keep limiting the club's ability to strengthen its squad in upcoming transfer windows. The case is part of broader changes in Moroccan football, as Fouzi Lekjaa continues to oversee major projects related to organizing the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal.