Recently, social media platforms circulated a photo highlighting a meeting between Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, and former national coach Hervé Renard, immediately after the termination of his contract with the French national team. The meeting, which took place in Nice, France, was attended by Renard’s agent, Farid Ayad, and Karim Belk. The presence of Karim Belk, President of the Traditional Jiu-Jitsu Federation, has raised questions about the compliance of this meeting with Moroccan sports regulations.
Background of the Meeting
The meeting between Lekjaa and Renard comes in the context of Lekjaa’s clear desire to renew his sports relationships and expand his network after Renard’s contract with France was terminated. However, what draws attention is Karim Belk’s attendance at the meeting, which is unusual given Belk’s dual responsibilities.
Questions about Karim Belk’s Role
If Karim Belk attended the meeting as an agent, this contradicts Moroccan sports law, which specifies conflicts of interest. According to Article 68 of Law No. 30.09, it is prohibited for anyone practicing as a sports agent to be a member of the executive board of a regional or professional federation or sports university, or to be employed by these bodies or receive any form of compensation from them.
Karim Belk, who was appointed President of the Traditional Jiu-Jitsu Federation in 2018, “had Jiu-Jitsu forcibly removed from the Royal Moroccan Judo Federation under the pressure and influence of a Gulf state,” which led to the appointment of a General Secretary from the Ministry of Finance, who was under the supervision of Fouzi Lekjaa. This appointment paved the way for the establishment of a Jiu-Jitsu federation in Morocco aimed at replacing the Royal Moroccan Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation and similar sports, which was legally established by ministerial decision and approved by its foundational law. This reflects a conflict of interest and raises questions about Belk’s role in this context.
Questions to Minister Chakib Benmoussa
In light of these facts, the question is posed to the Minister of National Education, Preschool, and Sports, Chakib Benmoussa: Is the minister aware that Karim Belk, President of the Jiu-Jitsu Federation, is in a position that conflicts with Moroccan sports laws? How does Belk’s role as a sports agent align with the laws that prohibit such overlaps?
Conclusion
The meeting between Fouzi Lekjaa and Hervé Renard, with Karim Belk’s presence, highlights deeper issues related to violations and conflicts of interest in the Moroccan sports scene. These issues raise serious questions about the respect for sports laws and practices in Morocco.
In this context, there is an urgent need to reassess the adherence to laws and take effective measures to ensure that conflicts of interest are avoided and the integrity of the sports process in the country is maintained.
