MAS Fez Elects Ali Benjelloun Unanimously Ahead of Its 80th Anniversary

10:45

Ali Benjelloun has been unanimously elected president of Maghreb Association Sportive (MAS), the football club based in Fez, taking over leadership at a time when the organization is seeking to strengthen its governance, develop young talent and secure a more sustainable financial future.

Benjelloun’s appointment was confirmed on Saturday during the club’s ordinary elective general assembly. The former vice-president was the sole candidate in the running and succeeds Mohamed Bouzoubaa, who stepped down in mid-September for personal reasons. Benjelloun had been serving as interim president since the resignation.

Financial accounts reveal a narrow deficit

The general assembly reviewed the club’s administrative and financial performance for the 2025–2026 season, alongside the report submitted by the statutory auditor.

The association recorded expenditure of 21.13 million Moroccan dirhams, compared with revenue of 21.08 million dirhams, resulting in a deficit of 58,327 dirhams for the financial year.

The club’s financial statements received approval from its accounting expert. Members subsequently discharged the outgoing board of its responsibilities regarding the accounts presented before proceeding with the election of the new leadership team.

The figures place financial sustainability among the issues facing the new president as he seeks to maintain the club’s development trajectory while expanding its resources.

Youth development and local partnerships on the agenda

Benjelloun has pledged to continue the development programme pursued over the past two years, with particular attention to strengthening the club’s administrative and technical structures and preserving its long-term stability.

Describing himself as a lifelong MAS supporter, he said his ambition was to build an institution capable of protecting the club’s historical identity while supporting its sporting objectives.

Youth training and the development of local talent feature prominently in his plans. The new president also intends to expand economic partnerships, particularly with businesses and stakeholders across the Fez region, in an effort to diversify the association’s sources of funding.

Such partnerships could provide additional resources for sporting development and help the club reduce its reliance on a limited number of financial contributors.

Coordination between the association and sporting company

Another priority identified by Benjelloun is closer coordination between the MAS association and the club’s sporting company.

He considers cooperation between the two entities essential to establishing a consistent management framework and maintaining stability. The approach is also intended to help the club respond to supporters’ expectations while aligning its administrative decisions with its sporting ambitions.

The effectiveness of this coordination will be an important factor in implementing the new president’s programme, particularly as the club seeks to strengthen its structures and preserve its competitive objectives.

Bouzoubaa remains involved ahead of club’s 80th anniversary

Although he has relinquished the association’s presidency, Mohamed Bouzoubaa has indicated that he will continue supporting MAS. He has been appointed president of the council of elders and will remain involved as the principal investor in the club’s sporting company.

Bouzoubaa called on club members to maintain internal unity and support ongoing projects, emphasizing the importance of preserving the administrative and sporting progress achieved in recent years.

His continued involvement provides continuity during the leadership transition, while Benjelloun assumes responsibility for directing the association’s next phase.

The transition comes as MAS approaches the 80th anniversary of its foundation, giving the club an additional opportunity to reflect on its history while addressing the financial, organizational and sporting demands of modern football.

For the new president, the immediate challenge will be to translate his stated priorities into practical measures that reinforce institutional stability, develop homegrown players and establish more diversified financial foundations.