Six Moroccan football clubs are lobbying the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), the sport’s governing body in the North African country, over a broadcast rights payment, it is claimed.
The six clubs have asked the FRMF, which collects the rights payments from broadcasters, to ensure the payment is made when it is due at the end of March, reports the Al Ahdath Al Maghribia newspaper, citing “well-informed sources”.
Moroccan clubs are facing financial pressure after the suspension of all sporting activities in Morocco because of the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
Along with the absence of ticketing revenues, it is claimed that clubs have been hit with a sponsorship shortfall as Moroccan companies endure financial difficulties related to the pandemic.
The third tranche of media rights revenue due is said to be worth in the region of MAD2m (€184,230/$203,450) per club.
Moroccan public broadcaster SNRT acquired the exclusive rights to Morocco’s top-tier Botola league in a deal signed in 2018. That agreement runs from 2018-19 to 2021-22 and is worth MAD105m per year.