Isolated at Training, Ziyech Pushes Wydad to Find a Way Out

Wydad Athletic Club's new board, led by president Ibrahim El Asri, continues to search for a way out of the saga surrounding star player Hakim Ziyech, after its previous attempts were rejected by the player.

A heavy financial burden

Ziyech earns a monthly salary of around 100 million centimes, under a contract signed with the previous board president, Hicham Aït Menna, which the current board views as a heavy burden on the club's finances. In an attempt to find an amicable solution, El Asri offered the player two options: either a reduction in his monthly salary, or an amicable termination of his Wydad contract. Ziyech rejected both proposals, insisting his contract, which runs until June 2027, remain unchanged.

Kept out of group training

The crisis escalated after Ziyech was excluded from a friendly match and a pre-season training camp held by the team in Agadir, with the player publicly voicing his frustration on his personal account, accusing club leadership of blocking his participation. Ziyech subsequently received an official notice, delivered by a court bailiff, informing him that he was to remain in Casablanca and continue training individually at the Benjelloun complex under a dedicated fitness coach, away from the rest of the squad.

Gulf offers as a possible way out

Amid the deadlock, Ziyech has received two official offers from clubs in the Bahraini and Emirati leagues, which could give Wydad's board the way out it has been looking for to close the file without entering into a legal dispute with the player, ahead of the new Botola Pro season kickoff.

Key takeaways

• Hakim Ziyech rejected both a salary cut and an amicable termination of his Wydad contract.
• The player has been kept out of group training and trains alone at the Benjelloun complex.
• Ziyech has received two official offers from Bahrain and the UAE, a possible way out of the crisis.