By Ayoub Derraza
Rabat – Casablanca’s Raja Athletic Club of Football (RCA) has threatened to withdraw from competitions in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to protest what it calls arbitration mistakes in a match it played against Renaissance Sportive de Berkane (RSB), a club from northeast Morocco.
RCA described referee Antoine Effa Essouma’s judgments as a “massacre” and called for an investigation.
RCA tied with RSB (0-0) in the group stage of the 2019 CAF Confederation Cup, on Sunday.
In a statement published on its website, RCA stressed that it “has the right to consider the possibility of withdrawing from African competitions in the light of the results of the investigation.”
Raja’s executive board held an emergency meeting and sent a letter of protest to CAF President Ahmad Ahmad. RCA added that it would also send a complaint to the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), Fouzi Lekjaa.
The club’s executive board also commended the professionalism of its players and technical staff, saying they acted responsibly and with discipline, despite unfairness.
Raja complained that the referee refused a goal at the 92nd minute of the game did not give Raja penalty kicks on multiple occasions, and did not give RSB warning cards.
After Sunday’s match, RSB became the leader of Group A in the CAF Cup with 8 points.
In the last four games in the Group A, Raja, the CAF title defender, has failed to win and remains in last place with 3 points from three draws and a defeat.
Raja still has one away match against Hassania Agadir which will decide whether RCA qualifies to the next round.
