Strict measures will be in place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations to prevent lasers from being used in the Egypt-Senegal match
As part of the intensive preparations to host the most prominent football event in the African continent, Adel Farid, head of the organizing unit for the 2025 African Cup of Nations in the Moroccan city of Tangier, confirmed in exclusive statements to the newspaper “Okaz”, that the security authorities and organizing committees have raised the state of alert to ensure that the matches come out in the best civilized manner, stressing the complete readiness to deal with any behaviors that may disrupt the competition, specifically the phenomenon of using “laser beams”.
Smart monitoring and immediate penalties
The Moroccan official explained that the stadiums designated for the tournament, most notably the Grand Stade de Tanger, have been equipped with the latest international surveillance systems and smart cameras capable of monitoring the stands with pinpoint accuracy. He emphasized that the instructions are clear and strict: “Any fan found in possession of a laser device, or attempting to use it to influence the players, will be located immediately, the device confiscated, and legal penalties applied, which could include fines, permanent expulsion from the stadium, and a ban from attending future matches.”.
The specter of the Dakar 2022 showdown
These stern warnings come in response to concerns about a repeat of past incidents that sparked global controversy, most notably what occurred during the Egypt-Senegal match in the second leg of the 2022 World Cup qualifier in Dakar. At that time, Egyptian captain Mohamed Salah and his teammates were subjected to a systematic campaign by Senegalese fans using hundreds of green laser pointers, which directly affected the players' concentration during the penalty shootout. This incident prompted FIFA to impose hefty fines and amend some of its disciplinary regulations to ensure a level playing field.
Morocco's infrastructure and international standing
By hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the Kingdom of Morocco aims to deliver an exceptional tournament that reflects the significant development of its sports infrastructure and underscores the country's readiness to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup (joint bid). Advanced security measures are part of the international standards that Morocco is committed to implementing to ensure the safety of players and fans and the integrity of the competition, free from any non-sporting influences.
A confrontation with a vengeful and historical character
The highly anticipated semi-final match between Egypt and Senegal is of paramount importance, carrying a sense of revenge for the Pharaohs after their loss in the 2021 final and subsequent elimination from the World Cup at the hands of the same opponent. With both teams boasting world-class stars, all eyes are on Tangier, where everyone hopes the match will be a pure footballing spectacle, free from any disturbances, thanks to the tight security and organizational measures promised by the Moroccan authorities.
