Raja Refuses to Play Second Leg of Botola Before Postponed Games Are Played

Raja – Raja Club Athletic has taken a clear position against starting the second half of the Botola Pro inwi before all postponed matches from the first round are played.

The club sent an official letter to the national professional football league, stressing that competition rules require completion of the first leg before moving on to the return fixtures.

Raja pointed out that it has already finished its first-round schedule, while several clubs still have pending games.

The club argues in its letter that this imbalance undermines fairness and equal opportunity. Citing article 20, paragraph 4 of the league’s regulations, Raja said it is compulsory that all the postponed first-leg games be played “as soon as possible,” before the start of the second legs.

 

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Beginning the return phase without resolving these delays would distort the competition, the club’s management stressed.

Some teams could benefit from playing fewer matches, while others face added pressure, which contradicts the principle of sporting justice, it added.

Raja made it clear in its letter that it will only accept taking part in the second-round matches once all the first-leg games are played. 

Read also: Botola: Raja Extend Lead, Maghreb Fes Rise to Second, AS FAR Held Back

This demand comes at a time when the league has shown signs of disorganization. The National Professional Football League recently backtracked on scheduling postponed matches from Round 10, which were initially set for Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Just days earlier, the league had moved the Maghrib Fes vs. Olympic Dcheira match forward to Saturday to free space for those fixtures. Yet it later withdrew the plan without providing any explanation, leaving the ever-lurking issue of postponed games unresolved.

The sudden reversal has fueled criticism of the league’s shambolic scheduling process. 

Raja Casablanca closed the first half of the Botola Pro with 30 points, sitting top of the table after a 2‑0 win over Olympic Safi. 

They have played all 15 matches, recording 8 wins, 6 draws, and just 1 defeat. Their city rivals, Wydad, however, have only played 12 games and are second in the standings. Maghreb de Fes follows in third place with 13 matches played, while AS FAR sit fourth with 12.