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Karboubi becomes first female referee for Morocco Cup final

Moroccan female referee Bouchra Karboubi will oversee the final match of the Throne Cup on May 14, becoming the first female referee to do so. According to the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), this reflects Morocco’s increasingly inclusive and progressive nature. FRMF also chose Fatiha Jermoumi as Karkoubi’s assistant referee. The final match of the Throne Cup will be held in Adrar Grand Stadium in Agadir on Saturday at 4 pm and will see Tetouan’s Athletic Moghreb facing off against FAR Rabat.
Born in Taza in 1988, Karboubi was raised in an environment that forbade her from following her passion, which was to play football. She later passed the physical test to referee men’s football matches in 2014. Karboubi then went on to become an international referee two years later. In 2018, the African Football Confederation (CAF) appointed her among the first category of referees. The 34-year-old referee already made history in 2020 when she was chosen to officiate in Morocco’s top football league, the Botolo Pro 1. In 2020, Karboubi was chosen alongside Fatiha Jermoumi by FIFA on the pre-selected list for the Women's World Cup that will be held in Australia and New Zealand in 2023. She oversaw several matches in the women division of the African Cup of Nations. With several achievements under her belt, Karkoubi was an ideal candidate to officiate the Throne Cup Final football match. Rabat’s FAR and Moghreb Tetouan last met in Tanger’s Grand Stadium on May 15, 2021, during the Botola Pro 1. The match ended in a 0-0 draw.