Morocco reports 529 security interventions; 396 arrests during AFCON 2025

Moroccan authorities carried out 529 security interventions and referred 202 individuals to on-site judicial offices during the 2025 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.

In a joint statement, the Ministry of Justice, the Presidency of the Public Prosecution, and the General Directorate of National Security confirmed that special judicial offices were established inside stadiums across six host cities: Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Agadir, Fez, and Tangier. Nine judicial units were created to ensure the swift handling of offences and violations linked to the continental tournament.

Security operations included 307 identity checks conducted in coordination with judicial authorities. Stadium entrance controls recorded 68 attempts to gain access without tickets and uncovered 17 cases involving counterfeit tickets. Officers also dealt with 16 incidents related to drug possession and consumption, as well as 20 cases involving the use of flares. Five-bladed weapons and two tear gas canisters were seized during the tournament.

In a broader crackdown, 396 individuals were arrested on suspicion of illegally reselling match tickets. The arrests followed digital monitoring of social media platforms where tickets were being offered outside official channels. Investigations were conducted under the supervision of the competent public prosecution offices.

Overall, 202 people were presented before the judicial offices in connection with 152 criminal cases. Prosecutors decided to pursue charges in 82 cases and referred them to court. Settlement fines were imposed in 56 cases, two files were closed, and 12 were returned to judicial police for further investigation.

Moroccan nationals accounted for 79.2 per cent of those brought before judicial authorities, while 20.8 per cent were foreign nationals from African and European countries. The most frequent offence involved fraudulent attempts to enter stadiums, representing 25.48 per cent of cases. Illegal ticket resale followed at 10.96 per cent, while 7.46 per cent of cases concerned pitch invasions.

Authorities highlighted the effectiveness of the on-site judicial offices, noting that their presence enabled immediate case processing, reduced pressure on traditional courts, and ensured faster rulings. Many minor offenses were resolved through settlement fines.

The security framework for the tournament also featured the deployment of between 3,000 and 4,000 police officers per match. These efforts were reinforced by surveillance cameras, drones, and artificial intelligence systems designed to monitor crowd movement and identify suspicious activity. In addition, a new African Police Cooperation Centre was established to strengthen coordination with participating nations and international partners.

Officials described the overall operation as a successful rehearsal ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host alongside Spain and Portugal.