Rabat – Moroccan police carried out security operations in Rabat and Casablanca on Sunday evening to arrest several football fans involved in violent acts in public streets.
Among the 23 arrested were minors. The interventions came after groups gathered in public areas and put people and property at risk, according to authorities.
A security source said that groups of football supporters gathered in the Bernoussi area of Casablanca and in the Hay Al Fath neighborhood in Rabat, and threatened public safety and carried out attacks using knives, fireworks, and stones.
These acts caused damage to private property, including the smashing of parked cars in the streets, added the security source.
Police arrested nine people suspected of taking part in the violence in Casablanca. Meanwhile, security forces in Rabat arrested 14 people, including five minors, and seized bladed weapons during the operation.
The same source said that authorities opened judicial investigations under the supervision of the competent public prosecutor. Identification operations are still ongoing to arrest all those involved, as authorities aim to strictly apply the law against anyone linked to these criminal acts.
Videos shared on social media show scenes of chaos and violence during the incidents. The footage shows groups of youths running in the streets, throwing stones, and damaging cars, while some individuals appear to be carrying knives.
Football hooliganism remains a recurring issue in Morocco, with rioting and destructive behavior taking place during local matches or following intense rivalries between supporter groups.
