Tensions are brewing within Morocco's Botola football league as fans of AS FAR and Raja Club Athletic clash over seating arrangements for their upcoming matches. The local authorities have stirred controversy by announcing plans to admit only Raja supporters during their December 24, 2024, matchup, which falls under the opening round of the African Champions League group stage.
The decision to ban AS FAR fans from attending has sparked outrage among their Ultras supporters, particularly groups like the Curva Che and Ultras Black Army. These fans argue the restriction undermines the spirit of football and does not comply with the regulations set forth by the African Football Confederation (CAF).
“After making the necessary arrangements to travel and support the team, we were shocked to learn it was decided to prevent the public from traveling and attending the match in Casablanca. We reject this decision and hold the management fully accountable,” said the Ultras Black Army organizers. This statement reflects the deep frustration felt by the supporters, who see this as indicative of broader issues affecting their club.
The match, which promises to be electrifying, faces the shadow of local authorities' typical restrictive measures known among fans as the infamous 'travel ban syndrome.' This practice has repeatedly limited fans from showing their support away from home, not just for domestic games but now also for significant continental fixtures. According to reports, Raja Club Athletic was said to allocate only 700 tickets to AS FAR fans, starkly below the minimum 5% ticket provision mandated by CAF, which has drawn ire from many quarters.
Mustapha Dahnane, the president of AS FAR's logistics committee, revealed he received orders from the authorities not to hand over tickets to military fans, exacerbated by the combined situation of backroom politics preventing fair access to the match. Fans' complaints have sparked discussions about how local authorities manage the logistics of key fixtures and their potential biases.
Add to this the drama is the outrage following recent comments made by Hicham Aït Menna, president of AS FAR, which Raja Club Athletic reportedly called “irresponsible behavior” damaging the reputation and integrity of Moroccan football.
The Raja Board condemned Aït Menna’s statements for contradicting ethics expected of club leaders and announced it had lodged complaints with the Ethics Commission of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. Their position highlights the growing scrutiny aimed at football officials who are reminded of their responsibilities within the league.
“These remarks constitute irresponsible behavior, undermining the integrity, reputation, and image of national football and its institutions,” said the statement from Raja. They emphasized the need for standards expected under FIFA’s Code of Ethics as imperative for maintaining the sport's dignity.
While the Moroccan country gears up to host various prestigious continental events, including the African Cup of Nations slated for 2025 and the FIFA World Cup set for 2030, the paradox presented by the authorities remains palpable. On one side, they boast their capacity to handle such international challenges, yet on another, they frequently enforce travel bans effectively limiting stadium attendance.
Supporters are calling for accountability and transparency from both their clubs and the governing bodies. They demand fair treatment as football should be about community engagement, enjoyment, and spirit, not hindered by arbitrary restrictions aimed at maintaining order or favoring one side over another.
With key matches approaching and feelings still running high, the consequences of these decisions could resonate deeply within the Moroccan football scene. Fans await not just the outcomes of the matches but the broader implications for supporter rights and engagement within the sport. Whether the dynamics can shift back to favoring enthusiastic attendance rather than restrictions remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the spirit of football is best served when everyone has the chance to be part of the game.
