Ex-wydad Casablanca Chairman Denies Involvement With Jailed Drug Kingpin

Said Naciri, the former chairman of Moroccos most successful football club, Wydad Casablanca, denied any involvement in a major drug trafficking case linked to a jailed kingpin, insisting on his innocence in a trial that began Friday.

In his first appearance in court as one of the two main defendants, Naciri vehemently rejected all charges and pledged to present evidence to prove his innocence.

I have the evidence to refute all the accusations. I deny them completely, said Naciri, who is also a former leader of the Authenticity and Modernity Party PAM, a political group within the ruling coalition.

I am going to help the court establish the truth. I have crucial information that will be essential in resolving this case, he added, before the trial was adjourned until April 18.

Naciri is facing charges alongside another former PAM official, Abdennabi Bioui, for possession, marketing and export of drugs as well as related corruption offences. Both have been held in custody since late 2023.