Football fans injured two members of the security services and damaged residents’ vehicles.
Rabat – Police in Casablanca arrested several fans of Casablanca’s Raja Athletic Club (RCA) and Wydad Athletic Club (WAC) for their involvement in acts of hooliganism that erupted after the derby between the two clubs at the Mohammed V Stadium on Sunday, December 23.
Violence after the game resulted in injury to two members of the security services and damage to both security vehicles and privately owned cars.
“After the game between Raja and Wydad of Casablanca … so-called supporters of the two clubs clashed and resorted to stone-throwing near the stadium and at some [major roads] of the Hay-Hassani area,” said local authorities of the Casablanca-Settat region, according to a report by Maghreb Arab Press (MAP).
Clashes between the two clubs’ fans erupted after Wydad lost the game to Raja 1-0.
Although the police deployed many officers around the stadium to prevent fights and block rowdy fans from running into the surrounding neighborhoods, violent fans of both clubs managed to cross the authorities’ blockade by passing through alleys.
All the way to the Maarif neighborhood, the closest to the stadium, fans were seen exchanging blows and threats, while residents hurried to protect their vehicles and properties.
Police eventually restored order and arrested some of the violent fans, although others managed to escape.
The police are questioning the arrested fans and investigating their alleged involvement in acts of hooliganism.
