Calm Under Pressure: How Morocco’s Security System Saved the AFCON Final From Chaos
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Fatima Saif
- . January 26, 2026
- . Update: January 26, 2026 12:57 pm
Rabat was among the most heated African football matches at the AFCON final, and the Security System of Morocco did its level best to make sure that the match did not get out of hand. In an overcrowded stadium and emotions high, a late VAR penalty decision sparked off player and fan protests. During some anxious moments the danger of disorder was great. But the situation did not escalate due to the peaceful, organized and well thought out reaction of Morocco. With restraint, coordination, and crowd control in mind, the Security System of Morocco was able to save the lives of fans, players, and the image of the tournament itself, which was under the attention of the whole world.
Measured response that stopped escalation
As demonstrations spread, the Security System in Morocco concentrated on the strategy of containment and not force. Security guards created protective fences, brought sanity in the crowd, and allowed the game to continue safely. This strategy demonstrated the priorities of the Security System of Morocco on control over confrontation. The Security System in Morocco was later hailed by international observers as an example of how to manage sporting activities that were considered to be of high risk. In spite of the controversy, the Security System in Morocco made sure that the final of AFCON was not characterized by failure but by football.
