In a significant development, Moroccan police have detained a hotel employee in Casablanca on allegations of theft involving players from an African women's national team participating in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. The arrest was made by officers from the judicial police unit operating in the Anfa security district of Casablanca, following numerous reports regarding thefts occurring in the players' rooms.
According to an official statement from the police, thorough field investigations were conducted, which ultimately led to the identification of the suspect as a staff member of the hotel where the athletes were accommodated. During the course of the investigation, authorities executed searches that resulted in the recovery of MAD 10,000, an amount believed to represent the total stolen through these alleged thefts. It was reported that the suspect had exchanged the stolen funds from US dollars into Moroccan dirhams, further complicating the case.
The hotel employee has been placed in custody as the judicial investigation proceeds under the supervision of the competent public prosecutor’s office. This investigation aims to clarify the full circumstances surrounding the thefts and to determine any additional criminal acts that may be attributed to the suspect.
Details on the Incident Remain Sparse
While Moroccan authorities have refrained from disclosing the identity of the hotel or the national team involved, reports from Nigerian media have highlighted complaints from members of the Super Falcons, indicating that several players experienced missing cash during their stay in a Casablanca hotel prior to the tournament. Notably, forward Esther Okoronkwo took to social media to allege that $700 was stolen from her wallet, with other teammates also reporting similar thefts from their accommodations.
The team’s media officer confirmed that the players had alerted the appropriate Moroccan authorities, prompting an investigation into the matter. However, the police statement did not explicitly link the arrested employee to the complaints raised by the Nigerian players, leaving the identity of the affected national team officially undisclosed at this time.
This incident unfolds as Morocco hosts the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, a prestigious continental competition that commenced in Rabat on July 26 and is set to run until August 16. It is important to note that the detained employee is still considered a suspect and has not been convicted, with prosecutors expected to determine the next legal steps following the police investigation's conclusions.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
