Top Moroccan football official Mohamed Hidaoui has been arrested and detained for involving in 2022 World Cup ticket scam.
Morocco raised the bar for African teams in the World Cup after they came out top from group stages to finish in the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup, thanks to a seething cauldron of Moroccan and Arab football fans who filled the stands each matchdays to cheer the Atlas Lions to victory.
However, behind the gloss of the triumphant World Cup experience, Moroccan fans were left fuming after the tournament for being deprived of World Cup tickets through ‘dark-corridor’ deals.
According to reports reaching us from Sahara Reporters, a top Moroccan official Mohamed Hidaoui allegedly masterminded black market ticket sales to the detriment of Moroccan fans who were meant to access the tickets for free.
Hidaoui reportedly defrauded the unsuspecting fans during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, selling the said tickets at exorbitant prices to fans.
Moroccan Football Federation reportedly promised free tickets to the fans who were willing to travel to Qatar to watch the Atlas Lions take on the world.
On arrival in Qatar, the fans were left frustrated as they could not access the tickets as promised by Moroccan Football authorities.
It was later discovered the free tickets promised to the fans had leaked into black market and was being sold at high prices.
The incident was met with a mass outrage by Moroccan fans who cried out loud to Moroccan authorities to bring to book all culprits involved in the ticket scandal.
Moroccan authorities reportedly swing into action since May, 2023, investigating the incident to apprehend all involved.
An unidentified sports reporter was reportedly arrested in connection with the incident but has been released after being interrogated by the authorities.
Mohamed Hidaoui has been arrested and is currently in custody over the incident.
His arrest and detention came at the instance of the investigation into the incident. Moroccan outlets say Hidaoui, who is a revered figure in Moroccan government and football administration, may be imprisoned if found guilty of the allegations.
Hidaoui is alleged to have been behind the sale of the free Morocco World Cup tickets at exorbitant prices to Moroccan fans.
Morocco stunned the world, becoming the first African country to reach the last four of the World Cup. Mohamed Hidaoui’s alleged ticket scandal must have been a big disservice to the Atlas Lions.
Who is Mohamed Hidaoui?
Mohamed Hidaoui is a top Moroccan football and government official. He is a member of a top Moroccan political party – the National Rally of Independents, NRI. NRI is a dominant political party in Morocco. They produce the current Prime Minister of Morocco.
Hidaoui is also an owner of a top football club in Morocco, Olympic Club de Safi, who are playing in Morocco elite division.
