Moroccan police have opened a judicial investigation into the illegal sale of match tickets for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Since the start of the tournament on Sunday, fans have complained of difficulties in accessing match tickets, with reports pointing to organised networks illegally reselling tickets through unauthorised channels.
Authorities said eight individuals are suspected of involvement in the illicit ticket trade. The case emerged after national police monitoring units detected social media posts advertising AFCON tickets for sale outside official platforms.
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Following technical analysis and field investigations, police identified the suspects and carried out coordinated security operations in several cities, including Rabat, Temara, Agadir, Salé, Marrakech and Mohammedia, leading to their arrest.
The suspects are currently under judicial investigation to establish the full circumstances of the case. Authorities confirmed that investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other individuals who may be linked to the illegal activity.
In recent days, several fans have taken to social media to complain about their inability to secure tickets, alleging that some individuals bought tickets in bulk from the official website and resold them at heavily inflated prices on the black market.
Match tickets originally priced at $15 were reportedly resold for as much as $150.
The sharp price hikes prevented many supporters from attending the opening ceremony and Morocco’s opening match against Comoros. Consequently, thousands of seats were left empty at the newly renovated 70,000-capacity Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Social media users estimated that around 10,000 seats were unoccupied, with fans urging authorities to find a solution that would allow them to attend the Atlas Lions’ matches and support the host nation.
