The Casablanca police prefecture announced on Wednesday the arrest of 270 suspects, including 53 minors, following acts of vandalism ahead of a football match between Casablanca’s TAS and Meknes’ CODM on Tuesday at the Larbi Zaouli stadium in Casablanca.
The police had launched regular large-scale operations to deal with acts of vandalism by the CODM fans who tried to force their way to the stadium, despite the decision to play the match without an audience.
Some suspects with criminal records deliberately damaged public and private property, committed acts of violence using sharp weapons against law enforcement officers, and threatened the safety of citizens, the Casablanca police prefecture said in a press release.
These acts resulted in material damage to 21 vehicles and cars, including a bus and a police truck, showcases of private companies were ransacked, and 40 public employees were injured to varying degrees of severity, including 12 Auxiliary Forces and 28 police officers, the statement added.
These security operations also seized sharp weapons that were in the possession of certain individuals arrested and suspected of being used to commit acts of vandalism, according to the press release.
Adult suspects were placed in police custody while the minors are under surveillance pending an investigation to be carried out under the supervision of the public prosecutor’s office to determine the criminal acts attributed to the arrested persons.
These reports come following the death of a 29-year-old Raja Casabalnca (RCA) fan at the Mohamed V stadium in Casablanca on Saturday, when RCA and Egypt’s Al Ahly played their second leg game of a quarter-finals confrontation as part of the CAF champions league.
Videos went viral on social media showing crowds of fans trying to get into the stadium, causing the death of the Raja supporter.
Such acts of vandalism that usually conquer the streets and stadiums during important football games have long triggered complaints and frustration among the fans and their families over the disorganization of major football events.
Read also: Death of Football Fan Due to Stampede in Morocco Triggers Backlash over Disorganization
