Morocco’s Clubs Split Over Controversial Plan to Abolish Relegation and Expand the League

In the wake of a heated general assembly, Moroccan football finds itself divided over a plan to abolish relegation from the top division while expanding the Botola Pro. Of the clubs present, 17 backed the proposal, giving it a clear majority, while seven others either voted against it or chose to abstain. That split, involving some of the league’s most recognizable names, has left the reform with political momentum but uncertain legal footing.

Raja Club Athletic, Fath Union Sport, Union Touarga, Club Meknassi, Chabab Mohammédia, and Wydad Fès all rejected the plan outright. AS FAR, Wydad Athletic Club, and Maghreb Fès abstained rather than take a firm stance either way. Their reluctance underscores how contentious the idea remains, even as a majority of clubs pushed it through.

Six clubs rejected the plan outright, while three others abstained—reluctance that reveals just how divisive the reform truly is.

At the heart of the proposal is a temporary or permanent suspension of relegation, paired with an expansion of the first division from 16 to either 18 or 20 clubs. Some versions of the plan call for 18 teams by the 2026-27 season, while others push for 20 clubs sooner, possibly alongside a similar expansion in the second division. Additional changes include new promotion-relegation playoff formats, revised foreign-player quotas, coaching requirements, and youth-development targets. The entire package is backed by a reported budget of roughly MAD 965 million dedicated to professional league reform. Ultimately, any structural overhaul of this scale would need to align with the Royal Moroccan Football Federation‘s governing authority over national competitions.

Supporters argue the changes will widen competition, generate more matches, and create fresh opportunities for players and coaches. They frame the suspension of relegation as a stabilizing measure for financially vulnerable clubs, while a larger league could also mean more broadcasting content and revenue potential for mid-table teams. Advocates tie the plan to a broader FRMF push toward more independent leagues and modernized competition structures. The federation’s stewardship extends beyond league matters to overseeing venues such as the Moroccan national team’s home stadiums, reflecting its broad authority over the country’s football infrastructure.

Critics, however, see it differently. They argue that removing relegation strikes at the sport’s core principle of merit, allowing underperforming clubs to avoid consequences. Some have also questioned who truly benefits, suggesting that expansion timed just after certain clubs’ relegation raises uncomfortable questions about motive and fairness within Moroccan football’s governance.