DZWatch Exclusive: Friday night’s events during the match between AS FAR Rabat and Al Ahly SC have sent shockwaves through African football. The scenes of fan violence, the barrage of projectiles aimed at players, the injury to Egyptian player Trezeguet – all culminated in a chaotic suspension of the game.
This shameful spectacle begs a difficult question: How can a nation, poised to host the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) in mere weeks, fail to protect players on its own soil? Morocco has actively promoted itself as a modern, sophisticated football destination. However, this incident exposes a disturbing fragility in its security and organizational capabilities.
While a controversial refereeing decision may have fueled tensions, it can never justify transforming a stadium into a battleground. Civilized fans express their displeasure through boos and chants, not through violence and destruction.
Alarmingly, this is not an isolated incident of stadium unrest in Morocco. Now, with the continent’s premier tournament fast approaching, the world is watching with trepidation: Is Morocco truly prepared to host CAN? Or are we on the brink of an organizational and security disaster?
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA must take a decisive stance. Symbolic penalties are no longer sufficient. We need concrete guarantees and stringent measures to ensure the safety and security of the tournament. Otherwise, the Africa Cup of Nations risks transforming from a celebration of football into a security nightmare. The world is watching.
