Morocco’s National Professional Football League (LNFP) has appointed Abderrahim El Arjoun as the new head of the National Arbitration Directorate (DNA), removing former international referee Redouane Jiyed from the role of national technical director.

The change was confirmed on Friday, 30 October, after weeks of criticism and tension surrounding the performances of referees and the management of the country’s arbitration system.

Jiyed had led the DNA for two years. He will remain involved in Moroccan refereeing, but has been moved to oversee the initial and continuing training of referees.

The LNFP said the reshuffle was intended to “bring new momentum to national refereeing, strengthen the mechanisms for its development and improve its standard”.

El Arjoun now takes charge of a department which has frequently been at the centre of controversy in the Moroccan league. His appointment follows a particularly strong public criticism of the DNA from LNFP president Abdesslam Belkchour the day before the announcement.

Speaking to Radio Mars, Belkchour said he was “dissatisfied with the performances of the refereeing, the DNA and even its director personally”, adding that he wanted to “personify and clarify things”.

“We wanted more progress and a correction of the shortcomings. He is one of the best Moroccan referees, who joined the DNA immediately after his retirement. At that time, he had good relations with the referees. But many of them have recently asked for his resignation,” Belkchour said.

The decision also follows a deterioration in relations between Jiyed and members of the refereeing body. According to Le Site Info, several officials, particularly younger referees, had raised concerns about his methods of communication and management. Those tensions are understood to have gradually weakened his position.

Jiyed’s reassignment means he has not been completely removed from the country’s refereeing structure. The LNFP will instead seek to use his experience as a former international official in Morocco and on the international stage to develop referees through training.

The names of Yahya Hadka and Mohamed El Kazzaz had also been mentioned as possible successors, but El Arjoun was ultimately selected.

The reorganisation marks a new phase for Moroccan refereeing, whose credibility and performances have continued to face regular scrutiny. The LNFP will now hope the change in leadership can ease the tensions within the officiating system and lead to improvements on the pitch.