Stadium Security: The Attorney General of the King at the Court of Cassation, President of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, Hicham Balaoui, Highlights the Role of the Public Prosecutor
As the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations unfolds, Morocco is relying on its justice system and institutional mechanisms to ensure the safety of major sporting events. In Rabat, the Attorney General of the King at the Court of Cassation and President of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, Hicham Balaoui, emphasized the central role of the public prosecutor in preventing violence and protecting public order, in a context marked by digital transformations and heightened human rights requirements.
Facing the security challenges posed by crowded stadiums and large sporting gatherings, Hicham Balaoui detailed the strategies implemented by the Public Prosecutor’s Office to prevent violence, manage spectators, and protect participants.
Speaking at a conference held on Wednesday, January 7, in Rabat, organized by the Ministry of Justice in partnership with Naif University for Security Sciences, on the theme “Security of Major Sporting Events: Security and Legal Challenges in the Era of Digital Transformations,” he underlined that safety is a key factor in ensuring the smooth conduct of competitions and enhancing Morocco’s image as a host country capable of organizing international events, particularly with an eye toward the 2030 World Cup.
According to the Attorney General of the King at the Court of Cassation and President of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, sporting events now go beyond mere competition. They serve as platforms for promoting universal values and as levers for economic and social development, contributing to what is referred to as the “sports economy.”
These events are also closely monitored by international human rights organizations to combat discrimination, promote equality, and prevent hate speech.
In this context, organizations such as FIFA have incorporated the human rights dimension among the obligations of host countries.
Hicham Balaoui emphasized that the success of major competitions relies on the safety of infrastructures and the protection of participants and spectators. Violence in stadiums remains a major challenge due to its direct impact on people, property, and the general sense of security. He cited the royal guidelines set by King Mohammed VI in the message addressed to the National Sports Conference in 2008, highlighting the importance of a proactive policy of prevention and sanction.
At the international level, Morocco is a participant in several conventions related to violence at sporting events, doping, and match manipulation, making the Kingdom the only African country to sign the Macolin Convention.
At the national level, a comprehensive legislative framework governs sports practices and criminalizes violence during matches and events. The Public Prosecutor’s Office prioritizes the fight against hooliganism, ensuring strict application of sanctions and coordination with all relevant authorities.
Finally, Balaoui praised the experience of judicial offices established within certain stadiums, which allow for immediate intervention, reduce delays and costs, while ensuring adherence to the principles of a fair trial. This approach is considered exemplary and is set to be generalized to secure all sports venues and preserve public order.
Editorial team/le7tv
