Nigeria’s Michael Babatunde dedicates goal to Raja fans killed in fracas

Raja Casablanca winger, Michael Babatunde, has dedicated his goal to the two Raja Casablanca fans that died and the victims injured in a fight. The fight broke out between two groups in Morocco on Saturday during the team’s match against Chabab Rif Al Hoceima.

Babatunde who scored his third of the season in the encounter with a bullet header told PREMIUM TIMES that he was deeply saddened by the reports after the game but prayed such incident never occurs again.

Reports suggest that it was Babatunde’s goal celebration with a sect of fans that triggered the fracas. The 22-year-old risks being fined if he repeats it again.

Babatunde threw his jersey in a wild celebration with a part of the Raja fans.

“I dedicate my goal to the lives that were lost in the Ultras groups fracas,” he told PREMIUM TIMES.

“I felt bad to hear that two people died and lots of people were injured,”

Raja Casablanca are the second ranking football team in the North African country behind rivals Wydad Casablanca.

They have now been sanctioned by the Royal Federation of Moroccan Football, which called the violence ”deplorable”.

Raja and its supporters have previously been sanctioned, along with Wydad and its supporters, for repeated bouts of violence during and after matches that have left dozens injured, including police.

The football club will play without an audience for its next five games, and they must pay a fine of 100,000 Moroccan dirhams (9,200 Euros).

Meanwhile, the Nigerian international who is reportedly linked with a summer move also disclosed that he remains focused on helping Raja Casablanca compete for the title.

“We are fifth now on the log and I just want to do all I can to help the team always and if the title comes my way it will be fantastic,” he said.