SME-About Almountakhab Moroccan newspaper-Written by: Badr Al-Din Al-Idrisi
The derby has stories and tales that we have lived, narrated, and chronicled over the decades, since it first saw the light of day with the birth of the national championship in the post-independence period. This derby has been a reflection of a Morocco that is evolving, moving, growing, and innovating in highlighting the riches of its centuries-old history. Indeed, the derby, with all its historical significance and references, has become a unique record of eras from our national past and present, particularly our collective passion for football and our collective expressions of true belonging to all that carries symbolism.
The Mohammed V Complex in Casablanca, which has hosted this derby since its inception, can tell us many of these stories and events that have perpetuated it in the collective memory, making it the most prestigious and beautiful derby in the world. While the derby tells the story of its own life, it links its glory and pride to the Mohammed V Complex in Casablanca, and also links its pain and suffering to its distance and estrangement from this magnificent edifice. Therefore, the Moroccan Football Federation and the Professional League found no other event to inaugurate the fire-filled complex, revitalized and modernized in anticipation of the great African football event, other than the derby, which is a part of its soul. However, the winds of anger buried deep within the hearts of the two rivals’ fans were not what the Federation, the League, or even the derby itself desired. The factions supporting Wydad and Raja jointly declared their boycott of this celebratory derby, and did not concede despite the concessions offered. This boycott deprived the derby of the joy and creativity it embodies in the eyes of the people. We apologize to the few thousand who removed the shackles of “guardianship” and attended so that the stands would not suffer from the impact of “abandonment.” While it is absolutely certain that the declared and insisted upon “boycott” has harmed the derby, firstly, by breaking its strongest wings, and secondly, by striking at the heart of all intentions to celebrate the opening of the Fire Boat, and thirdly, by renewing the financial losses of Wydad and Raja, who were both expecting a record attendance of fans, to catch their breath after a long siege, the “boycott” as a decision, action, and behavior must be the subject of mature discussion that distances itself from tensions, so that the circle of estrangement does not widen, and the scene does not become filled with the exchange of accusations and reproaches. Whatever our position on this “boycott” initiated by the factions supporting Wydad and Raja, its coordinates and negative impact, not only on the derby but also on the relationship between members of the football family, oblige us to carefully read the causes, justifications and even the repercussions. In addition to the boycott being a strong reaction from fans who felt they were insulted, oppressed and subjected to double standards, it reflects the space for freedom of expression guaranteed to the people of this country, to raise their voices in complaint and protest when harm occurs. Therefore, we cannot treat the boycott with the common principle among us, “How many things have we solved by leaving them alone?” Because “Balkanizing” the scene and event, and belittling it, will leave a large gap within the football family, which is in dire need of solidarity, cooperation and cohesion to overcome the major challenges facing our country, from preparing for major sporting events to neutralizing the effect of the disruption that takes this boycott from its negative perspective and turns it into a sore arm.
