Rabat: Opening the international scientific symposium on “Security at major sporting events: security and legal challenges in the era of digital transformation,” the minister specified that these offenses were dealt with directly in the sports venues hosting the AFCON matches, without taking the individuals concerned to police stations, as the fines were paid on the spot.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the minister praised an efficient experience and fans’ discipline during the matches of this major continental sporting event, believing that football, through its moral mission, reinforces the values of mutual respect in particular. Furthermore, the minister stated that popular enthusiasm for football matches remains difficult to match compared to other major sporting events, highlighting football’s ability to promote Morocco’s image and the development of its institutions.

This three-day event is organized by the Moroccan Ministry of Justice in partnership with the Naif Arab University for Security Sciences in Saudi Arabia, Morocco’s Directorate General of National Security (DGSN), the Royal Gendarmerie Command, and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), with the support of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the Arab Police Sports Union.

As part of Morocco’s hosting of the 2025 African Cup of Nations and preparations to co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, this symposium is attended by ministers, senior officials, and national and international experts representing prestigious institutions, including the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), the continental confederations, the UNOCT, the IOM, Interpol, Europol, the Council of Europe, the African Union Commission, and the British Sports Grounds Safety Authority.

Also taking part are officials from the justice, interior, security, and sports sectors of several countries, as well as researchers and specialists in the fields of sports event security, counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and organized crime.