By Angu Lesley
Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon
A Confederation of African Football semi-final in Safi descended into chaos on matchday, after serious crowd trouble involving supporters of USM Alger forced a lengthy delay before kick-off against Olympique Club de Safi.
Scenes of disorder unfolded at the Stade El Massira shortly before the scheduled start, when groups of travelling fans breached security barriers and surged onto the pitch. Witnesses described a volatile situation in which projectiles were thrown and stadium seating was torn out and used as makeshift weapons.
Journalists and media personnel stationed around the pitch appeared to be among those caught up in the violence. Several were reportedly injured, with equipment damaged or destroyed amid the unrest. Images circulating from the ground showed bloodied faces and shattered broadcast gear, underlining the severity of the incident.
Moroccan security forces, supported by local organisers, intervened to regain control of the stadium. In a coordinated response, officers cleared the playing surface, secured access points and attempted to separate rival supporters. Their efforts eventually restored a level of order, though tension remained palpable throughout the venue.
Despite the scale of the disruption, officials opted against postponing the fixture. The second-leg tie in the CAF Confederation Cup eventually kicked off approximately one hour and twenty minutes behind schedule, once safety conditions were deemed sufficient.
The Confederation of African Football is now expected to review the events in Safi, with the possibility of disciplinary action looming. Incidents of this nature are likely to renew scrutiny on stadium security, crowd management, and the broader challenge of ensuring safety at major continental fixtures.
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