By Kwame Bediako
Ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 December opener, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) dropped a no-nonsense list of banned items for all venues, zeroing in on alcohol and laser pointers to keep things safe and spirited.
The rules aim to deliver a secure, impartial, and kid-friendly vibe in every stadium, shielding the beautiful game from disruptions as Africa’s fiercest rivals clash on Moroccan soil.
CAF’s laser pointer crackdown stems from a string of fan-fueled antics in club leagues and world tournaments, where beams targeted keepers’ eyes during clutch saves, sparking outrage over fouled play and real injury risks.
“We won’t tolerate anything that puts players at risk or taints the competition,” a top LOC voice declared, echoing CAF’s iron-fisted stance amid growing calls from coaches and federations for airtight enforcement.
Honoring Moroccan customs and laws, booze gets the boot inside and outside grounds, joined by bans on glass, cans, weapons, flares, big bags, and any divisive political, religious, or toxic banners. With elite security crews patrolling host cities, CAF promises Africa’s superstars will shine distraction-free.
