Casablanca Derby Fallout: Ziyech's Awe and the Heavy Penalties Loom

Derby Fallout and Sanctions

Angry reactions continued after Derby No. 139 between Wydad and Raja, drawing waves of criticism from pundits and technical experts for the players' low level, while the stands delivered a clear display of spectacle and celebration.

But the stands themselves became a flashpoint, with unprecedented use of fireworks and pyrotechnics that halted the match several times due to fog descending on the pitch, forcing firefighters and civil defense to intervene to extinguish flames and prevent spread to the rubber track, just ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Fines and looming sanctions

A source close to senior officials in the disciplinary committee said the panel planned to announce its position quickly on the events in the stands, especially after the heavy and unprecedented use of fireworks by both sets of supporters.

The clubs had been warned before the season of strict rules against pyrotechnics; heavy fines and the possibility of playing behind closed doors would be the main tools to curb the phenomenon.

The spokesman added: What happened in the derby surpassed all expectations; thousands of fireworks were used, not hundreds. The referee's report and the match observer will set out a precise picture of what happened, as the stoppages were many and harmed the game's rhythm and its marketability.

Penalties are expected to coincide with Mohammed V Stadium temporarily closing for repairs to damage to equipment, especially chairs and the rubber track, in preparation for the CAN.

The Casablanca governor's intervention was decisive to allow the derby to be played at Mohammed V; but the latest events will push Wydad and Raja away from the stadium again during the repair period.

Reactions and Ziyech’s Awe

Benhahem's remark about Raja's performance in a sports channel stirred wide controversy: Raja played football from years past. Every time we increased the tempo, their players collapsed to break it out of fear of our speed. I faced Manchester City and Juventus at the Club World Cup, and I did not use the approach that kills football or robs fans of joy. I am sorry for what we saw from Raja's players, he said.

Valdo, Raja's coach, fired back: Numbers don't lie; statistics show we were the better possession and control. We played the way we wanted, but the many stoppages and fans' fireworks spoiled our rhythm repeatedly.

Hakim Ziyech stunned by derby atmosphere

Camera crews captured Hakim Ziyech, Morocco's national team star and captain of the Lions, watching the derby from the VIP box with his mother after signing for Wydad.

According to sources close to the player, Ziyech seemed astonished and stunned by the rowdy atmosphere in the stands, filming fireworks on his mobile as celebrations erupted.

He told associates that despite playing in the Netherlands, England, and Turkey, he had never witnessed vibes like these in a Moroccan derby and he looked forward to the return leg in Wydad's jersey.

Aftermath: Winners, Losers, and Punchlines

No winner in the summit, and many losers, as most critics and observers agreed that Casablanca Derby 139 produced no real winner, with statistics showing it was one of the weakest technically in recent years.

The performances of the internationals who appeared under Walid Regragui and Tariq Saktui were disappointing, while criticism targeted Benhahem and Valdo for their cautious defensive approach and crowding the midfield at the expense of attack and spectacle.

The local player was also judged among the biggest losers, seeming to drop compared to Moroccan players abroad who are making a global impact.

Wydad and Raja.. a persistent curse

Hicham Ait Mana, president of Wydad, headed the list of losers after Derby No. 16 without a win against Raja, including 12 defeats during his time with Chabab Mohammadia, and fans chanted against him after the derby.

Wydad has now gone six straight derbies without beating their rivals, underscoring once more that the spectacle in the stands outweighed on-field performance.

Punchline 1: If fireworks counted as goals, this derby would have won the league by now. Punchline 2: The referee’s whistle was the only thing in this game that needed a lighter—unfortunately the stands beat it to the punch.