Botola Pro: How Much Do Moroccan Football Referees Really Earn?

Match officials in Botola Pro are pocketing thousands per game as league expenses soar past MAD 22.87 million ($2.3 million) for the 2023-2024 season. 

The Professional League Board (LNFP) has just dropped its latest spending report, and the figures show how much referees are taking home.  

 A single match in Botola Pro 1 costs MAD 22,900 ($2,300) when factoring in travel expenses, while Botola Pro 2 games cost MAD 16,100 ($1,600).  

Here’s what referees are making per match:  

– Main referee: MAD 3,000 ($300) in Botola Pro 1 and MAD 2,000 ($200) in Botola Pro 2 

– Assistant referees: MAD 2,000 ($200) in Botola Pro 1 and MAD 1,300 ($130) in Botola Pro 2 

– Fourth official: MAD 1,000 ($100) in both leagues.

– VAR referees: MAD 2,000 ($200) in Botola Pro 1 and MAD 1,500 ($150) in Botola Pro 2 

– VAR assistant: MAD 1,500 ($150) in Botola Pro 1 and MAD 1,000 ($100) in Botola Pro 2 

– Match observer: MAD 3,000 ($300) in Botola Pro 1 and MAD 2,000 ($200) in Botola Pro 2

Every single game in Botola Pro 1 spends MAD 14,500 ($1,450) on the officiating team and an additional MAD 1,200 ($120) in travel perks for long distances. 

The league’s overall refereeing costs have ballooned, jumping from MAD 21.78 million ($2.18 million) last season to MAD 22.87 million ($2.3 million) this year. 

Here’s where the cash is going:  

– Referee allowances: Up from MAD 8.76 million ($880,000) to MAD 9.26 million ($930,000)  

– VAR technology: Costs slightly dipped from MAD 11.19 million ($1.12 million) to MAD 11.03 million ($1.1 million)  

– Pre-season training camps: More than doubled from MAD 709,000 ($71,000) to MAD 1.6 million ($160,000) 

– VAR training: Increased from MAD 864,000 ($87,000) to MAD 969,000 ($97,000)  

LNFP wants to make sure referees are trained adequately and rewarded enough so they can perform their job in above-par conditions while sticking to FIFA’s requirements.