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Rabat – As Morocco prepares to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), authorities are strengthening both organizational and security arrangements through the introduction of judicial offices inside stadiums set to host tournament matches.
The initiative aims to ensure the swift and effective handling of minor offenses that may occur within sports venues, while safeguarding the smooth conduct of the competition amid the large crowds and diverse nationalities expected to attend.
Speaking on Friday in Rabat, Hicham Mellati, Director of Criminal Affairs, Pardons, and Crime Detection at the Ministry of Justice, said the creation of on-site judicial offices is designed to respond to the specific challenges posed by a major continental sporting event such as AFCON.
“These judicial offices will allow for the rapid and efficient processing of minor infractions that may occur inside stadiums,” Mellati said on the sidelines of the inauguration of the judicial office at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat. He stressed that the measure seeks to guarantee optimal organizational conditions, particularly in light of the significant turnout of spectators from various countries.
Mellati explained that the initiative forms part of Morocco’s broader efforts to support the successful organization of the AFCON, through the establishment of dedicated units tasked with handling certain low-severity offenses and misdemeanors linked to sporting events.
He added that the mechanism draws inspiration from similar practices adopted during large-scale international sporting competitions, with the objective of ensuring prompt legal responses without compromising judicial standards. According to Mellati, the procedure provides all the guarantees of a fair trial and fully respects the legal safeguards and processes stipulated by law.
For his part, Hassan Farhan, a magistrate at the Presidency of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, underlined that the establishment of these judicial offices reflects the Public Prosecutor’s commitment to securing major sporting events, particularly AFCON 2025.
“In line with its mandate to protect individuals and property, the Public Prosecutor’s Office will coordinate with all relevant stakeholders on the ground to ensure that this major sporting event takes place under safe and secure conditions for supporters,” Farhan said.
The judicial offices are part of a new institutional mechanism dedicated to managing cases that may be referred to the Public Prosecutor in connection with offenses committed during sports matches. Authorities see the move as a practical and preventive measure that balances security, legal efficiency, and respect for rights, reinforcing Morocco’s readiness to host one of Africa’s most prominent football tournaments.
