Rabat – Morocco’s Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch has condemned the violence that erupted during a regional tournament’s final match between Morocco’s U-17 football team and their Algerian counterpart in Algeria on Thursday.
Saying that Moroccans and Morocco’s government stand in “complete solidarity” with the young players, Akhannouch called out the lack of security during the match.
“These young players were assaulted during a sporting event that lacked the minimum security requirements,” Akhannouch said during a meeting of his party’s youth arm.
“As a government, we are closely following the circumstances of their return to the homeland, as well as the health condition of those who are injured,” he continued.
He went on to praise the players for representing Morocco in the tournament “with discipline and professionalism.”
Clashes erupted between the players after the match during the U-17 Arab Cup final on Thursday, with fans even eventually storming the pitch.
Video footage showed Algerian players kicking Moroccan players, with the fighting having erupted shortly after the match ended.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) issued a statement on Friday condemning the violence and demanding that the Union of Arab Football Associations (UAFA) take “strict measures” to punish those responsible for the eruption of the post-match violence.
Recalling that the game took place amid a charged atmosphere given the long-standing diplomatic tensions between Morocco and Algeria, the federation lamented the fact that the match was held with minimal security measures.
After Thursday’s match ended in 1-1 draw, Algeria’s U17 team eventually won the final in the penalty shoot-out.
