Moroccan football authorities have imposed strict disciplinary measures on AS FAR and Raja Casablanca following crowd disturbances during their league match on 30 April.
The Central Disciplinary Committee of the National Professional Football League announced the sanctions after holding an emergency meeting to review official reports from the referee and match delegate. The governing body said the decisions were necessary to safeguard the image of football in the country.
In its statement, the committee pointed to the severity of the incidents, which included vandalism, disorder and injuries among security personnel. It said “the seriousness of the actions committed by the fans of the two teams, which included acts of vandalism, chaos and injuries among the security personnel,” required firm action to protect the reputation of Moroccan football.
Matches behind closed doors and fan restrictions
Among the most significant penalties, AS FAR will play five matches without supporters, while Raja Casablanca must play three games behind closed doors. In addition, fans of both clubs have been barred from attending any remaining fixtures for the 2025–2026 season.
Financial sanctions have also been imposed, with each club fined 200,000 Moroccan dirhams for what was described as “unsportsmanlike conduct” by their supporters. The combined total amounts to 400,000 dirhams.
The disciplinary committee has further ruled that AS FAR cannot host its remaining domestic matches at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. The club will instead be required to select an alternative venue approved by the league, although exceptions will be made for continental and international fixtures.
Repair costs and wider consequences
Both clubs have also been instructed to share the financial burden of repairing damage caused during the disturbances. A technical evaluation will be carried out to determine the extent of the losses before costs are divided equally.
The sanctions come at a decisive stage of the season, with both teams competing for leading positions in the league standings. The measures are expected to have significant sporting and financial implications, particularly given the absence of supporters and the disruption to home fixtures.
Effort to protect football’s image
The disciplinary action highlights growing concern among authorities about crowd behaviour and its impact on the sport’s reputation in Morocco. By imposing strict penalties, the league aims to deter future incidents and reinforce standards of conduct among supporters.
For both AS FAR and Raja Casablanca, the consequences extend beyond immediate punishments, potentially influencing their performance in the closing stages of the campaign.
The episode marks a serious moment for Moroccan football, as officials seek to balance competition with discipline while maintaining the integrity of the domestic game.
