Wydad AC Star Returns to Training After Financial Dispute Resolution

Wydad Athletic Club’s turbulent season has taken another twist, with reports confirming that defender Abdelmounaim Boutouil has been allowed to return to training after being sidelined due to a financial dispute with the club.

Boutouil, who joined the Casablanca-based side from South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns at the start of the current campaign, had been frozen out of the first-team setup in recent weeks. Moroccan outlet AlMountakhab reports that the dispute was rooted in financial and administrative disagreements between the player and Wydad’s management.

Despite the off-field challenges, Boutouil had been a consistent presence on the pitch under head coach Rulani Mokwena, featuring in 18 matches before his exclusion. His return could not come at a more critical time, as Wydad face mounting pressure to secure a CAF Champions League spot for next season.

This latest development comes amid a broader crisis engulfing the club. On Tuesday, Wydad officially announced that Mokwena had been granted a leave of absence for the remainder of the season, with his exit confirmed at the end of the campaign. His departure follows a string of poor results and escalating internal tensions.

In the wake of Mokwena’s exit, interim coach Mohamed Amine Benhachem has stepped in and is reportedly playing a key role in stabilizing the dressing room. According to local reports, Benhachem was instrumental in mending the rift between Boutouil and the club’s hierarchy, paving the way for the defender’s reintegration into the squad.

The club’s leadership has also come under fire, with growing calls for president Hicham Ait Mena to step down. Wydad’s chances of qualifying for next season’s CAF Champions League now hang in the balance, adding further pressure on the embattled administration.

As Wydad try to regain focus on the pitch, the return of a key player like Boutouil could offer a much-needed boost in their final run of fixtures. However, whether the club can overcome the broader challenges both on and off the field remains to be seen.