AFCON
Morocco to Introduce Stadium Courtrooms and Special Penal Code for 2025 AFCON & 2030 World Cup
In a groundbreaking move ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations in December and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, Morocco’s Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi has announced the creation of a unique judicial system tailored specifically for the continental and global football showpiece.
Central to the initiative is the establishment of courtrooms inside stadiums to manage minor offenses committed by visiting foreign fans.
Speaking during a radio interview with MedRadio, Ouahbi explained that the goal is to streamline the handling of petty infractions, ensuring swift justice and avoiding pressure on the country’s regular judicial system.
“For a minor offence, we can issue a formal report and proceed with immediate expulsion of the offender,” Ouahbi stated, emphasising that the approach is designed to preserve Morocco’s image during the tournament while maintaining law and order.
To support this mechanism, the government is drafting a special penal code specific to the 2030 World Cup, with laws focusing on stadiums and their surrounding areas. The proposal will be submitted to parliament soon.
“We are working on a special penal code for the 2030 World Cup,” the minister said, adding that it will align with FIFA’s requirements for hosting events of such magnitude.
FIFA recently opened a regional office in Rabat, further cementing Morocco’s preparations for co-hosting the centenary edition of the tournament with Spain and Portugal.
Outlining the framework further, Ouahbi noted that every stadium will have a dedicated judicial committee chaired by the King’s prosecutor and supported by police and gendarmerie officers.
These committees will prioritise expedited justice for ticket holders, with a focus on avoiding detentions that could potentially escalate into health or diplomatic issues.
“We cannot place offenders in detention, as we do not know their health status and cannot predict their reaction to incarceration,” the minister explained.
“If an incident were to occur in prison, it could tarnish the image of the World Cup.”
For more serious infractions, the plan includes immediate expulsion and the transfer of judicial files to the offender’s home country.
The concept was first discussed during a plenary session of Morocco’s House of Representatives on February 10, where Ouahbi disclosed that the plan drew inspiration from previous World Cup host nations.
In March, Morocco deepened cooperation on the initiative through a meeting with Spanish Justice Minister Félix Bolaños García in Madrid.
Both countries agreed to establish a Tripartite Joint Justice Commission with Portugal, designed to create a robust legal cooperation framework for the tournament.
A joint declaration was signed to strengthen cross-border judicial collaboration, modernise legal systems through digital transformation, and ensure a coordinated legal approach leading up to and during the World Cup.
This judicial innovation marks yet another step in Morocco’s ambitious preparations, as the kingdom continues to assert itself as a leading force in international football hosting and governance.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
AFCON
Nigerians, other nationals can apply, as CAF and Morocco Launch Volunteer Programme for AFCON 2025
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) in Morocco have launched the official Volunteer Programme for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025, billed to run from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
According to CAF, more than 4,000 volunteers will be recruited to play a central role in ensuring the success of Africa’s most prestigious football tournament, which will be staged across six cities and nine stadiums in Morocco.
Applications are now open at volunteers.cafonline.com and will close on 8 October 2025. The opportunity is open to anyone above the age of 18.
Volunteers will be deployed across multiple functional areas, including media operations, spectator services, accreditation, hospitality, and fan engagement. Selected individuals will receive professional training ahead of the competition and work behind the scenes to deliver a memorable AFCON.
CAF stated that the programme is designed not only to support tournament operations but also to create an alumni network of skilled Africans who can contribute to future sporting events across the continent. Successful applicants will benefit from:
- Training and skill development.
- Official uniforms and certificates of participation.
- Networking opportunities with peers and professionals.
- The chance to contribute to Africa’s football legacy.
Volunteer registration opened on 17 September 2025. Selection and training will take place in October and November, with operations commencing in mid-December through to the tournament’s conclusion on 18 January 2026.
CAF described the initiative as an “exciting opportunity” for Africans to contribute to the growth of the continent’s flagship sporting event, which is expected to draw millions of visitors to Morocco.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
AFCON
CAF Security Chief, Nigeria’s Emeruwa, Leads Inspection of Tangier Stadium Ahead of Major Tournaments
Nigeria’s Dr. Christian Emeruwa, President of the Security and Safety Division of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), on Thursday, September 18, led an inspection visit to the Grand Stade de Tangier as preparations intensify for upcoming continental and global football events.
Emeruwa, who heads CAF’s continental security architecture, was joined by CAF Secretary General Véron Mosengo-Omba, senior Moroccan officials, and executives of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).
The delegation also included managers of operational companies at the Grand Stade and SONARGES executives.
According to Le 360, the Nigerian official expressed satisfaction with the stadium’s facilities after touring key operational areas, including the main control room with its giant surveillance screen, as well as spectator, player, and VIP access zones.
The inspection was bolstered by the presence of Morocco’s top security and administrative officers—the regional commander of the Royal Gendarmerie, officials of the Auxiliary Forces and Civil Protection, the Wali of Security, the governor in charge of Internal Affairs, and representatives of the National Agency for Public Equipment (ANEP).
A technical meeting followed the tour, where engineers presented recent safety and security upgrades. Among the highlights was the planned installation of a FIFA-standard tarpaulin roof to enhance the venue’s compliance with global hosting requirements.
For Nigeria, the spotlight on Dr. Emeruwa underscores the country’s growing influence in African football administration, particularly in the critical areas of safety and security management for CAF competitions.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Morocco has received 723 high-end buses from Chinese manufacturer Yutong as part of preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which kicks off on December 21.
Yutong said on social media that the fleet “has officially rolled off the production line” and will provide “comprehensive transport services and reliable operational support” during the tournament.
An official handover ceremony was held on Friday at the company’s facility in Zhengzhou, Henan province, attended by Moroccan representatives and Yutong executives.
The buses were designed to cope with Morocco’s terrain and climate, including steep slopes, heat and sandstorms. They feature an independent front axle suspension to navigate narrow city streets and Yutong’s in-house “Blue Core System” for fuel efficiency.
The delivery is the largest single order of Chinese buses in Africa. Yutong will station more than 100 technicians in Morocco to provide training, maintenance and round-the-clock support during AFCON.
The deal is part of Morocco’s broader transport strategy, which includes plans to purchase 7,000 new buses by 2030—half of them electric—as the country prepares to co-host the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- World Cup1 week ago
BREAKING: At last FIFA’s Axe falls on South Africa!
- World Cup1 week ago
South Africa to Appeal FIFA Ruling Over Mokoena Eligibility Case
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
Super Eagles Set for Double Friendly Showdown with Venezuela and Colombia in USA
- World Cup1 week ago
Sport Minister Orders Probe into SAFA over Bafana’s Costly Points Deduction
- World Cup7 days ago
FIFA Sanction on South Africa Offers Super Eagles a Lifeline — But a Lesson from History Looms
- U-20 FOOTBALL1 week ago
Two penalty appeal lost as Flying Eagles stumble at first hurdle
- World Cup5 days ago
Super Eagles Walk Tightrope as Nine Key Players Risk Suspension in World Cup Qualifiers
- U20 FOOTBALL18 hours ago
Flying Eagles Bank on ‘Magic of October 8’ to overcome Argentina