Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has won a major legal case against his former Congolese club AS Vita following a prolonged dispute over wrongful dismissal.
Currently in Spain with his new team, Orlando Pirates, for pre-season training, the Moroccan coach received a favourable decision from FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber.
The verdict comes nearly a year after Ouaddou lodged the complaint with the global football authority.
ORLANDO PIRATES COACH ABDESLAM OUADDOU FAVOURED BY FIFA
Orlando Pirates news: 100k salary and coach in hospital
According to reports from African media on Thursday, FIFA has officially sanctioned AS Vita, ordering the club to pay Ouaddou approximately $180,000 (around R3.2 million) in unpaid wages and bonuses. In addition to the financial penalty, the club now faces a transfer ban that will remain in effect until the full amount is paid.
R10 million from Kaizer Chiefs to sign talented PSL winger?
The dispute dates back to October 2024, when Ouaddou abruptly parted ways with AS Vita under contentious circumstances. He accused the Kinshasa-based club of unfair treatment and failure to honour his contract, leading him to take the case to FIFA.
“The former coach of AS Vita has won his case against the club and is set to smile all the way to the bank,” an insider told Soccer Laduma. “He deserves it, as the club owed him a significant amount of money. That’s why he left in the first place — not because he wanted to, but because of the situation.
“He believed in the project, and it really was a strong one at one of Africa’s top clubs. But he’s not focused on the past. He’s now fully committed to another exciting project with Orlando Pirates, and he’s happy to be there,” the source concluded.
This ruling marks a significant win for the coach and highlights the importance of contractual integrity and legal recourse in professional football.
WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM ORLANDO PIRATES UNDER COACH ABDESLAM OUADDOU?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
