Raja Casablanca, AS FAR, and the 5% Rule

Rabat – The long awaited clash between Raja Casablanca and AS FAR was supposed to be a celebration of Moroccan football at its best. A historical rivalry spanning decades has reached a new peak. Two teams, same goal:the Botola pro title. Yet, as the match approaches this Thursday evening, the conversation has shifted away from the pitch towards the stands.

At the center of the controversy is the 5% rule, which limits away supporters to a small share of stadium capacity. Its recent application has raised questions about fair play and its effect on matches as a whole. For a club like Raja, such restrictions don’t just reduce numbers but they change the entire game.

The issue started this season in Agadir, when Hassania applied the rule at Adrar Stadium. Around 2,000 Raja fans were allowed, far fewer than expected. On top of that, tickets were sold in Casablanca instead of Agadir, while fans in Agadir paid MAD 30 to MAD 60, those in Casablanca paid significantly more, up to MAD 100.

What also sparked debate was the shift in stance. Not long ago, many supporters defended the freedom of fans to travel, regardless of the identity of the opponent. Today, that principle seems less important, especially when facing a team like Raja.

Raja Club athletic’s ultras groups, the Eagles and the Green Boys, expressed their dissatisfaction with the ticket sales process, stating that Raja has always ensured tickets are made available on time and in respectable portions. 

They said that the limited quantity currently granted by clubs “does not meet the standard of mutual respect,” especially given the club’s wide popularity across cities in Morocco. If this approach continues, fans are now calling on Jawad Ziyat to respond and apply the same measures when other teams visit Donor. This situation creates a tense atmosphere among supporters and negatively impacts the competitive spirit inside the stadium.

At the same time, this is not about one club. The rule has affected  many other teams in other matches across the Botola Pro, involving teams like MAS and AS FAR against Union Touarga, sometimes leaving stadiums nearly empty. The randomness of how it is applied only makes the situation more confusing.

There is also the question of what comes next. Last season, Raja provided around 4,000 tickets to Hassania supporters in Casablanca, with room for more if needed. If a similar approach is adopted again, Moroccan football could slowly move toward matches with no away presence, a scenario the domestic game can’t afford. 

This is especially devastating at a time when Moroccan football is clearly improving. Stadiums are much better, organization has progressed, with better image and sound quality, while also focusing on social media content to enhance visibility, particularly after the African Cup of Nations (AFCON). But even the best stadiums feel empty without passionate crowds.

That’s why this Clasico at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium feels incomplete. A match of this size should be loud and alive on both sides. Instead, with only a limited number of Raja fans expected, it’s starting to lose its identity.

In the end, the game will still deliver on the pitch. But football is more than a ball and a game. It’s the presence of fans, both competing over who’s going to steal the show. Of course one must find the right balance between safety and atmosphere. Yet, the challenge remains, how can Moroccan football move forward without the thing that made it special in the first place?

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