King Mohammed VI, a central figure of power in Morocco, has forged personal ties with several international figures, thus strengthening the kingdom’s influence through strategic relationships. Among the figures close to the king are Yusef Kaddur, a Spanish athlete, and the Azaitar brothers, MMA fighters of Moroccan origin.
If these relations are perceived by some as a strategy to promote Morocco on the international scene, they nevertheless raise questions about the poor companionship of the king and the controversial choices he made in associating with individuals whose judicial pasts and behaviors are problematic.
The story of Yusef Kaddur and King Mohammed VI begins tragically. In 2021, after the death of his brother Suli Abdeselam, Yusef received unexpected and deeply human support from the king, who personally engaged in the repatriation of the deceased’s body. This gesture, although touching, marks the beginning of a relationship that continues to strengthen. Since then, Yusef Kaddur, who made a career in mixed martial arts, has been seen alongside the king on several occasions, including during the celebrations of Morocco’s historic victory over Spain in the 2022 World Cup and during a summer getaway to Tetouan in 2023.
On the desirability of maintaining such a relationship with Yusef Kaddur
However, beyond these gestures of support and friendship, it is appropriate to ask the question of the advisability of maintaining such a relationship with Yusef Kaddur. The latter’s journey, although impressive on a sporting level, is not free of gray areas. His installation in Morocco and his rapprochement with the king certainly allowed his career to develop, but the question of the true nature of his influence and the interests underlying royal support remains. By choosing to associate with him, Mohammed VI seems to be ignoring the reputation of some of his close friends, thus exposing himself to criticism of the nature of his alliances.
The Azaitar brothers, Ottman and Abu Bakr, are other combat sport figures who benefit from the attention and support of Mohammed VI. Like Yusef Kaddur, their careers flourished thanks to their settlement in Morocco, where they became ambassadors of Moroccan sport, particularly in the world of MMA. Ottman Azaitar, in particular, gained international notoriety in the UFC, one of the most prestigious combat sports leagues. The two brothers often expressed their gratitude to Mohammed VI, who provided them with the necessary environment to develop.
The Azaitar brothers: legal liabilities that tarnish the image of the monarchy
However, behind this sporting success lies a worrying legal history. Ottman Azaitar has been involved in several legal cases, including doping accusations and out-of-ring incidents that have tarnished his public image. Abu Bakr, meanwhile, also had a tumultuous personal history, marked by controversial behavior that on several occasions attracted the attention of authorities. Problematic backgrounds which raise questions about the reasons which pushed Mohammed VI to surround himself with such personalities.
And especially when we learn that “Abu Azaitar and his brother Omar appeared before a court” in Cologne where “the first was accused of inflicting serious bodily harm and the second of theft (…)”. “Abu Azaitar, then aged 17 (…), was charged with brutally attacking a businessman, threatening to kill him by dousing him with gasoline and stealing his Ferrari. He was sentenced in June 2004 to two years and three months’ imprisonment. His brother Omar received a 20-month suspended sentence.
Relations for Morocco: an opportunity, but at what price?
The choice to associate with individuals with a vague judicial past seems to contradict the values that the king wishes to embody. By supporting the Azaitar, the Moroccan sovereign ran the risk of sending an ambiguous message about the legitimacy and morality of his alliances. A type of companionship which has called into question the image that the kingdom wishes to project on the international scene, in particular when it comes to promoting exceptional figures supposed to embody the values of excellence and discipline.
Relations between Mohammed VI and his sporting allies like Yusef Kaddur and the Azaitar brothers cannot be reduced to simple friendships. Behind these links lies a diplomatic strategy and a calculation aimed at strengthening Morocco’s influence in international circles. By supporting athletes like Kaddur and the Azaitar, Mohammed VI would seek to promote sport as a powerful vector for projecting the kingdom internationally.
Shocking contrast with the principles of integrity and exemplarity
However, this strategic objective raises ethical and political questions. The Moroccan monarchy, by seeking to associate itself with figures with controversial judicial pasts, risks tarnishing its image. These alliances, far from being based solely on sporting or diplomatic considerations, also seem to be marked by questionable pragmatism.
The king’s support for figures like the Azaitar and Kaddur is often seen as an attempt to legitimize individuals with problematic behavior, thus creating a shocking contrast with the principles of integrity and exemplarity that the sovereign should defend. Especially when we know that one of the Azaïtar brothers is accused of theft, extortion, fraud, physical violence, criminal conspiracy, theft with repeat offenses, computer fraud, driving without a license, assault, drug trafficking, forgery and resistance to crime. ‘arrest.
