Winners Announce Boycott of FUS Rabat Match, Criticize Reduced Fan Capacity and High Ticket Prices
The 'Winners 2005' group, the ultras supporting Wydad Athletic Club, announced their boycott of their team's match against FUS Rabat, scheduled for Friday evening at Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat. The match is a postponed fixture from the tenth round of the Professional League.
In a statement, the group asserted that the conclusion of recent continental competitions was accompanied by the return of what they described as 'repressive measures' targeting fans. They noted that while the term 'travel ban' is no longer used directly, it is still applied in other forms, such as allocating a limited percentage of stadium capacity, not exceeding 5 percent.
The ultras group criticized what they deemed 'excessive' management of fan attendance in Rabat, arguing that the decisions made go beyond the clubs and amount to 'imposed dictates,' making it difficult for supporters to access stadiums. They questioned the justification for this situation, especially in a city that previously hosted national team fans from various regions of Morocco.
The statement also addressed the issue of ticket prices, stating that they do not consider the purchasing power of a large segment of fans. This, they argued, reflects a trend towards 'commodifying' football and distancing it from its popular character. They cited several matches that have seen increased ticket prices, including the upcoming FUS Rabat encounter.
The 'Winners' confirmed they were unable to obtain match tickets after they were released on the electronic platform, stating that they were not made available to them as is customary, which led to their decision to boycott.
Concluding their statement, the group urged Wydad players to secure a victory in this match, following their continental setback, in order to regain balance and compete for the top spot in the league. They added that the next match at Mohammed V Stadium would be an opportunity for fans to reunite with the team.
