Morocco enforces strict fan ban after AS FAR–Raja violence

Morocco’s football authorities have introduced sweeping restrictions on visiting supporters following violent scenes during the Botola match between AS FAR and Raja Casablanca in Rabat.

The National Professional Football League (LNFP) confirmed the measures after an urgent meeting held on Friday, a day after clashes broke out between supporters at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

The incidents have prompted what officials describe as a decisive response aimed at restoring order and ensuring safety at matches.

Under the new rules, visiting supporters will no longer be allowed to attend matches or travel to away fixtures for the remainder of the current phase of the season.

The decision applies to all clubs competing in the Botola and represents a significant shift in matchday arrangements.

The LNFP outlined three key measures as part of the directive.

” The allocation of tickets or quotas to supporters of the visiting team is prohibited.” ” The sale of tickets intended for visiting team supporters is prohibited .” ” Away supporters are banned from traveling during the next phase. “

These restrictions effectively remove the presence of away fans from stadiums, with organisers seeking to reduce the risk of further incidents.

The measures are described as unprecedented in scope, reflecting the seriousness of the situation.

In addition to the general restrictions, disciplinary action has been taken against the two clubs involved in the disturbances.

The league’s disciplinary committee has imposed sanctions that will directly affect upcoming fixtures.

” The Commission has therefore decided to sanction AS FAR with 5 matches behind closed doors, compared to 3 matches behind closed doors for Raja Casablanca.”

Both clubs have also been fined, with each receiving a penalty of 200,000 dirhams.

Furthermore, supporters of AS FAR and Raja Casablanca have been banned from travelling to away matches for the rest of the season.

As a result of these decisions, several high-profile fixtures will take place without spectators.

The derby between Raja Casablanca and Wydad, scheduled for 9 May, will be played behind closed doors.

The same applies to the match between AS FAR and Wydad, which is expected to have a significant impact on the title race.

The sanctions follow incidents that authorities have described as serious.

The clashes involved damage to property, injuries and confrontations between supporters.

According to reports, 136 people were taken into custody in connection with the violence.

The scale of the disorder has prompted a strong reaction from football authorities, who have emphasised the need to protect both spectators and the wider reputation of the sport.

The measures introduced are intended to prevent further escalation and to re-establish control during the final stages of the season.

Officials have also framed the response as part of a broader effort to safeguard the image of Moroccan football.

With the country set to host the 2030 World Cup, maintaining standards of safety and organisation is seen as a priority.

The decision to ban away supporters is likely to have a noticeable impact on the atmosphere at matches, where travelling fans often play a prominent role.

However, authorities appear to have prioritised security considerations over traditional matchday dynamics.

For clubs, the sanctions present additional challenges, particularly for those required to play multiple fixtures without spectators.

🚨🇲🇦 𝗟𝗔 𝗟𝗡𝗙𝗣 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗘 𝗟𝗔 𝗩𝗜𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗘 𝗟𝗘 𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗦𝗠𝗘 AU MAROC 🇲🇦 !

➡️ Mesure radicale en Botola : déplacements des supporters visiteurs suspendus

❌ Aucune tribune pour les fans adverses
❌ Zéro billet alloué aux visiteurs
❌ Déplacements… pic.twitter.com/YTKpV4sSly

— Lassana Camara (@mauritaniefoot) May 1, 2026

Matches behind closed doors can affect both sporting conditions and the broader experience for players and supporters alike.

The introduction of these measures signals a shift towards stricter enforcement within Moroccan football.

By implementing wide-ranging restrictions, the authorities have made clear their intention to address the issue of crowd violence directly.

As the season continues under these new conditions, attention will focus on how effectively the measures reduce tensions and ensure the safe staging of matches.

For now, the message from the governing bodies is unequivocal: maintaining order is the immediate priority.