Rabat – The National Brigade of the Judicial Police (BNPJ) has initiated a thorough investigation into the development of the Mohammed V Sports Complex in Casablanca following allegations of financial and legal irregularities.
The ambitious project, costing a staggering MAD 220 million ($22.5 million), has come under scrutiny after suspicions arose that mismanagement and embezzlement may have compromised the smooth execution of the project.
Lawyer Mohamed El Ghalloussi, President of the Moroccan Association for the Protection of Public Property, shed light on the matter through his social media channels on Wednesday, July 2th.
El Ghalloussie disclosed that the King’s Attorney General at Casablanca Court of Appeal had issued instructions to investigate potential squandering of public funds associated with the development of the complex.
The suspicions leading to the investigation were raised by the Moroccan Association for the Protection of Public Property, which had taken legal action against the project on the grounds of alleged malfunctions. The organizations pointed out that the declared expenditure seemed disproportionate to the current level of facilities at the sport complex, implying that certain parties might have exploited the project to misappropriate funds.
The NGO expressed deep concern over the situation, particularly as the state has been using sports, especially football infrastructure, as a means to boost various development sectors, both politically and economically.
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The Mohammed V Sports Complex holds considerable importance for Casablanca and Morocco at large. As a significant sports facility, its development was intended to elevate the country’s sports infrastructure and promote various aspects of growth.
Meanwhile, the current investigation has raised concerns among citizens and stakeholders alike, as it highlights the pressing need for transparency and accountability in large-scale development projects
