Stadium vandalism in Casablanca : A reflection of broader social issues

Ya Biladi

27-04-2025

Just days after the reopening of the Mohammed V Complex in Casablanca—following extensive renovations and costly repairs—social media erupted with shocking photos and videos showing acts of vandalism across several stadium facilities, including broken seats and toilets, after a Botola Pro 1 match between Raja Athletic and Hassania Agadir.
The incident sparked widespread outrage and raised serious questions about collective behavior in Moroccan stadiums, particularly as Morocco prepares to host major continental and international sporting events.
In this context, sociologist Abderrahim Bourkia, an expert on issues of social deviance and cultural dynamics, offered Yabiladi a comprehensive analysis of the phenomenon and its underlying dimensions. Bourkia does not believe these events will significantly tarnish Morocco's reputation, stressing that stadium violence and vandalism are not unique to any one country. He cited incidents at the Stade de France in Paris, just two years before France hosted the Olympics.
«The Stade de France witnessed unprecedented incidents of theft and widespread assaults, and the press at the time heavily criticized the authorities' inability to maintain public order. Yet, France went on to host one of the most successful editions of the Olympics. It became an opportunity for organizers to learn and address shortcomings».
According to Bourkia, the concept of «zero risk» does not exist. What matters most is being well-prepared and taking precautionary, proactive measures to manage potential threats.
Stadium Violence: A Complex Social Phenomenon
However, Bourkia warns that stadium violence should not be seen as a spontaneous outbreak of aggression; rather, it is the result of a complex web of social, cultural, and economic factors. The phenomenon is not limited to acts of vandalism or rioting—it stems from provocations and symbolic violence exchanged among fans, management, and security personnel. Bourkia believes that stadium violence mirrors the broader violence present in Moroccan society.
He argues that addressing the phenomenon requires more than just a strong security response; it also demands long-term social intervention. Family upbringing and school education play crucial roles in shaping behavior. Therefore, activating the role of educational, cultural, and training institutions is essential to create a positive environment that steers young people away from violence and deviance.
Bourkia also reflects on the world of ultras, describing it as a «special world» with its own parallel set of rules, where a culture of confrontation and sometimes violence can prevail—not only toward rival groups but also toward symbols of authority perceived as threats to their freedom.
«Ultras in Morocco are purely a social product. They are individuals shaped by specific social environments and cannot be blamed in isolation from the family system, schools, youth centers, and other socializing institutions».
He further notes that some outbreaks of violence may be fueled by personal ambitions or manipulated by parties seeking to exploit tensions for their own benefit, whether to assert dominance within the fan scene or to profit from the chaos.
Bourkia emphasizes that violence in stadiums reflects the broader violence in society. The teenager or young person engaging in stadium violence is often a product of public policies and family and educational systems that fail to support and nurture youth.
According to him, marginalized young people who feel excluded and hopeless «become easy recruits for groups that offer a symbolic substitute for the social recognition they lack».
As for solutions, Bourkia insists that an immediate and robust security response is non-negotiable, but it must be paired with a deeper, longer-term social approach.
In conclusion, he stresses the need to work with children, adolescents, and young people to instill values of fair competition and openness toward others, «so they no longer view those who are different from them as threats, but simply as sporting competitors».