Wydad Casablanca head coach Rulani Mokwena claims that he was racially abused following his side’s 2-2 draw with Ittihad Tanger this past weekend.
Wydad had to fight back to earn a draw but lost ground on log leaders RS Berkane in the Moroccan Botola Pro League. After the match, the former Mamelodi Sundowns head coach said that some of Tanger’s officials had made racial remarks towards him.
According to FARPost, IR Tanger personnel may have used the ‘k’ word against Rulani Mokwena during a heated exchange. Since joining Wydad in July, the 37-year-old coach has been under pressure only managing to win four league games this season.
Rulani Mokwena under pressure at Wydad
On Saturday, Mokwena spoke out against racial abuse.
“What makes me very upset and disappointed is that I was subjected to some racist comments by the opposition. And I don’t like that and I don’t think I deserve that. “I don’t think I came to Morocco to be racially abused. It’s not right,” he said.
Wydad has since released a statement on Rulani Mokwena’s alleged racial abuse.
“Wydad strongly condemns the unfortunate events that followed the final whistle of the match between our team and Ittihad Tanger,” reads the club’s statement.
“Our coach, Mr Mokwena, was subjected to unacceptable racist remarks from a member of Ittihad Tanger’s staff who was not on the field during the match. However, he entered after its conclusion. His abusive and racist words towards the coach led to some altercations between the players.
It remains to be seen if the Moroccan League will act on Rulani Mokwena’s situation.
Is racism taken seriously in soccer?
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