فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Fez – The phenomenon of the black market for tickets to Moroccan national team matches, especially those held in cities like Fez, has become a recurring problem causing concern among fans and organizers alike. This hidden market, known locally as the “Shnaqa,” exploits Moroccans’ passion for their national team and spoils the joy of attending the matches.
How Does the Black Market Work? Exploitation Mechanisms:
The “Shnaqa” rely on several methods to obtain tickets and then resell them at multiples of their original price. The main mechanisms include:
- Organized Purchases from Official Platforms: Black market traders exploit fast internet and technology, sometimes using multiple accounts or even automated software (bots) to buy large quantities of tickets as soon as they are released on online platforms such as Webook.com. This significantly contributes to the rapid sell-out of tickets available to the general public.
- Secret Distribution Networks: Once in possession of the tickets, the “Shnaqa” resell them through private networks on social media apps (WhatsApp, Facebook) or via intermediaries located near the stadium hours before the matches start.
- Exorbitant Price Markups: Tickets are sold at prices that multiply the official price several times (sometimes increasing by 200% or 300%), exploiting the very high demand and the overwhelming desire of fans to attend historically popular matches.
Challenges Authorities Face in Combating the Phenomenon:
Despite efforts made, authorities and the football federation face several challenges in fighting this issue:
- Electronic Nature of Transactions: Initial sales are conducted electronically, making it more complicated to track bulk purchases made by individuals for resale purposes.
- Legislative and Enforcement Gaps: Current laws may not be sufficiently deterrent against the crime of “reselling at inflated prices,” or their enforcement faces difficulties in proving criminal intent and tracking informal transactions.
- Difficulty Tracking Digital Tickets: Once a digital ticket is sold, it becomes hard to monitor whether it has been resold or traded illegally.
- Public Awareness: Part of the responsibility lies with the public. The more fans buy tickets from the black market, the more this phenomenon persists and thrives.
Combating the Phenomenon: A Call for Joint Efforts
Ending this phenomenon requires coordinated efforts on multiple fronts:
- Tightening Control Over Online Platforms: Developing systems to prevent bulk purchases by a single person or automated bots, and imposing strict limits on the number of tickets available per individual.
- Enforcing Strict Laws and Deterrent Penalties: Clear laws and harsh penalties must be rigorously applied to anyone involved in illegal ticket sales, whether inside stadiums or online.
- Comprehensive Awareness Campaigns: Educating fans about the risks of buying tickets from the black market (such as counterfeit tickets and supporting criminal activity) and encouraging them to report suspicious practices.
- Enhancing Security Coordination: Strengthening cooperation between the Royal Moroccan Football Federation and security authorities to monitor the “Shnaqa” both physically and in virtual spaces, and to take necessary legal actions against them.
Combating the black market for match tickets remains an ongoing battle requiring constant vigilance and the combined efforts of all parties: the federation, authorities, and most importantly, the awareness and cooperation of the fans, to ensure that the joy of football remains accessible to everyone, free from exploitation.
