North Africa

North African news and reports

Moroccan Athletics Federation sacks Aouita

Submitted by ATAF Editor on 25 March 2009 - 11:03am

Moroccan Royal Athletics Federation (FRMA) dismisses former 5000m Olympic champion Said Aouita as its technical director just seven months after signing a four-year contract.

FRMA Vice-President Abdennebi Selighane said: "Aouita breached his commitments to the organisation due to recent media outbursts in which he criticised the national athletics authority.

"He expressed a desire to leave the management body and not accompany the Moroccan team to the World Cross Country Championships in Jordan."

Aouita told Magharebia.com he had not expected the FRMA's reaction when he merely expressed his opinion regarding the obstacles impeding his work as technical director.