Security governance and dynamic sports in coastal areas: A case study of football in Agadir

59 Security governance and dynamic sports in coastal areas: A case study of football in Agadir Redouane EL MAJDOULI PhD student Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences, Agadir [email protected] Abstract: This article analyzes the governance of security in the sports events in Agadir, highlighting the importance of football as a lever for development, spatial and social. Through a qualitative methodology based on semi-structured interviews and observations of participants, a number of challenges are highlighted: the lack of infrastructure, lack of coordination between the actors' safe and inadequate strategies to the specific socio-cultural supporters. In response, the article proposes the concept of the sports governance smart (gsi), an integrative model that combines advanced technologies and community participation for better security management. The results reveal that the application of this model can not only improve safety and security at sports events, but also to strengthen social cohesion and promote socio-economic development in the coastal areas. The study concludes by offering concrete recommendations for adapting the security strategies to local conditions, focusing on the modernization of infrastructure and a better collaboration between the actors involved. Keywords: governance, security, football, regional development, social cohesion, governance, sport intelligent. Résumé : Cet article analyse la gouvernance de la sécurité dans les événements sportifs à Agadir, soulignant l'importance du football en tant que moteur de développement territorial et social. Grâce à une approche qualitative basée sur des entretiens semi-structurés et l'observation participante, l'étude a identifié plusieurs défis clés: une infrastructure inadéquate, un manque de coordination entre les entités de sécurité et des stratégies qui ne tiennent pas compte des caractéristiques socioculturelles des supporters. En réponse, l'article introduit le concept de gouvernance sportive intelligente (ssg), un modèle intégratif combinant des technologies de pointe avec la participation de la communauté pour améliorer la gestion de la sécurité. Les résultats révèlent que la mise en œuvre de ce modèle peut non seulement améliorer la sécurité lors d'événements sportifs, mais également renforcer la cohésion sociale et promouvoir le développement socio-économique dans les zones côtières. l'étude se termine par des recommandations pratiques pour adapter les stratégies de sécurité aux spécificités locales, en 60 mettant l'accent sur la modernisation des infrastructures et l'amélioration de la collaboration entre les principales parties prenantes. Mots clés : gouvernance sécuritaire, football, développement territorial, cohésion sociale, gouvernance sportive intelligente. Introduction In a context of increasing globalization, the sports events, including football matches, have gradually acquired a significance that goes beyond their initial function of simple competition. becoming an essential lever for the development of economic, social, and cultural territories, football has emerged as a powerful vector of identity, social cohesion and community integration. This sport is mobilizing the masses and shapes the social and regional dynamics of cities. Agadir, a Moroccan coastal town in the foreground, perfectly illustrates this dynamic. attracting both national and international visitors, agadir is a privileged place for sporting events, such as football games, which become moments of convergence between the interests of economic, social and cultural rights. This convergence highlights the importance of the safety issues, which are crucial for the local stability. Therefore, security can no longer be seen only from the angle suppressive or preventive. It must be seen as an inclusive process, integrating the local specificities and supporting the territorial development. Security governance, based on a constant dialogue between the local actors, authorities and communities, has become a necessity in the management of major sports events. This need is especially felt in the coastal areas such as agadir, where cross sport, tourism and culture, generating both opportunities and complex challenges in terms of security. with the africa cup of nations (can), scheduled to be in morocco in the year 2025 and the world cup in 2030, it is imperative that the country is strengthening its capabilities in the field of security governance in the context of international sporting events. These events represent not only an economic opportunity for the country, but they also impose logistical challenges of safety and without precedent. The central issue of this article lies in the manner in which the security governance can evolve to effectively meet the security requirements of sports events, while fostering a sustainable territorial development. How can security governance be optimized to take account of the specificities of the socio-cultural supporters, while ensuring the security ? in agadir, where sport and tourism overlap, it is crucial to exceed the approaches to safe repressive classics. The 61 current strategies, although functional in some respects, are struggling to respond to the particularities of socio-cultural supporters, and visitors. This mismatch often causes tensions between security forces and supporters, encouraging the exchange at the expense of cooperation. Giulianotti and Klausner (2010) point out that the security governance must adapt to local conditions in order to be effective. In agadir, the current strategies are too often based on western models, unsuited to the realities of social and cultural locales. The supporters of Morocco, influenced by socio-economic factors, cultural and historical region-specific, differentially interact with the security forces, thus making necessary a safe approach more contextualized, essential to support the territorial development harmonious. In addition, the work of castells (2009) the impact of the technologies of information and communication technology (ict) revealed another critical factor in the safe and secure management : the growing role of social media in the organization and mobilization of supporters. These platforms facilitate the communication between stakeholders, but can also fuel tensions by spreading rumors or coordinating the movements of the mass. In agadir, these challenges are particularly pronounced, especially during football games which attract large crowds and require logistics strategies and secure fit. The main objective of this article is to analyse in depth the safe practices of current implemented during football matches in Agadir, while taking into account the local dynamics that influence relations between the security forces, the event organizers and supporters. The study aims to answer key questions such as : why the strategies that are safe currently fail to create a climate of trust and cooperation between these different groups ? How socio-cultural dynamics influence the behavior of the fans and their interactions with the security forces ? By adopting a qualitative methodology, this study seeks to understand why current policies fail to create a climate of cooperation. Finally, this study proposes the formulation of practical and theoretical recommendations to improve the governance of the security at sporting events in Agadir. The introduction of the concept of governance in sport smart (gsi) is based on an integrated and participatory approach. The gsi combines the use of advanced technologies to monitor and manage the crowds with the adoption of strategies of communication and inclusion to better understand and anticipate the needs of stakeholders. The final objective is to create an environment where fans feel both protected and respected, contributing to social stability and economic development in the coastal regions. 62 Key concepts and theoretical frameworks In the context of sporting events, especially in coastal regions such as Agadir, security governance is of particular complexity, driven by the interaction of multiple key concepts. Among these concepts, three emerge as fundamental : the security, territorial development and social cohesion. These concepts are not isolated, but interact continuously in a theoretical framework that is broad, allowing you to grasp the importance of the safety event in socioeconomic development and community integration. The analysis of the interactions between these notions sheds light on the strategies to the safe management to adopt in the context of sporting events, while building on academic research in-depth. Security at sporting events has long been perceived through the prism of approaches to law enforcement, based mainly on crowd control and the prevention of violent incidents. However, recent theories, including those developed by the organization for economic cooperation and development (oecd, 2005), put forward a vision of a more integrated and inclusive security governance. This approach departs from the traditional paradigms of security to facilitate a participatory governance, involving a wide range of actors : local authorities, law enforcement agencies, event organizers, and even civil society. In this perspective, michel foucault (1977), in his analysis of the mechanisms of power, introduced the idea that security should be considered in a broader social context. This is not just a set of coercive practices, but a management process that requires the active participation of local actors to ensure the stability and well-being of the community. In the context of agadir, where football is an engine for social and economic importance, this participatory approach is essential. Sporting events are not taking place in a social vacuum, but in a context marked by cultural, economic and social, that any security policy must take into account. The importance of territorial development in the context of sporting events may be underestimated. The work of Bernard (2017) shows that the events are often the catalysts of economic development, attracting investment in the local infrastructure, creating jobs, and revitalizing communities. Agadir, a coastal town with a tradition of strong tourism, benefits directly from the organization of major sporting events such as football games, which reinforce its attractiveness and competitiveness. However, as shown by Roche (2000) in his theory of mega-events, these economic benefits may be offset by the security challenges, including the management of crowds and social tensions. 63 The territorial development in the coastal regions such as Agadir is also based on the ability of sporting events to strengthen social cohesion. The theory of social cohesion, widely popularized by robert putnam (2002), emphasizes the importance of relationships of trust and social networks in order to maintain order and stability in the communities. Sporting events, by their very nature, bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds, creating a unique opportunity to strengthen these social links. However, this cohesion can only be achieved if the security strategies are perceived as inclusive and respectful of the local dynamics. The work of Chalip (2006) on community integration in the sports events confirms this idea. It shows that when the security measures are aligned with the expectations and needs of local communities, they contribute to strengthen the solidarity and cooperation between the participants. Conversely, security practices perceived as authoritarian or intrusive may exacerbate social tensions and undermine the trust between the police and the participants. In the context of agadir, where the local supporters and tourists interact in an environment that is socially and culturally complex, this dynamic is particularly important. Previous research on security in the sports events have been largely dominated by studies conducted in contexts in Europe and North America. giulianotti and klauser (2010), for example, analyzed the security of the stages in Europe, highlighting the importance of the adaptation of safety devices to local specificities. Their work has revealed that security policies must be flexible and adaptive, able to meet the various needs of the fans while providing maximum protection against the potential risks. However, these studies have rarely focused on contexts in coastal areas, such as agadir, where sports events are marked by the simultaneous presence of local people and tourists. This particular context presents unique challenges in terms of security. Sporting events in Agadir are not only of local competitions, but events of international tourists, which adds an additional complexity to the management of the crowds and the coordination between the different actors. Another emerging aspect of the security management in sports events is the impact of social media. Castells (2009) has demonstrated that social media platforms have revolutionized the way individuals interact and organize themselves, including in the context of sporting events. The fans use these platforms to coordinate their actions, express their opinions, and share information in real time, which creates additional challenges to the security authorities. In agadir, social media play an increasingly central role in the mobilization of supporters. The authorities should monitor these channels, to anticipate the movements of the crowd, but this 64 surveillance raises ethical issues that are important. Social media facilitates a form of collective action that is often beyond the direct control of the authorities. This raises the question of how the security forces can use these tools to improve their responsiveness, while respecting individual liberties and the privacy of participants. Thus, the governance of security in the sports events in Agadir is part of a theoretical framework that emphasizes the interconnection between security, territorial development and social cohesion. Although the existing literature provides insights so valuable, it still challenges, particularly in terms of adaptation strategies that are safe to the local specificities and the impact of new technologies. The current study proposes an integrated approach which takes into account these dynamics and aims to fill the identified gaps in the previous research. The next section of this article will explore the methodology used to analyze these dynamics in the context of agadir, focusing on the qualitative methods used to collect and analyze the data. Methodological approach The methodological approach of this study is based on extensive qualitative analysis, to explore in detail the complex dynamics and contextuality between the supporters and the security forces during the sports events in Agadir. The choice of qualitative methods is justified by their ability to capture the richness of human interactions, perceptions, and behaviors in a context where the dynamic social, cultural, and territorial play a central role (Denzin & Lincoln, 2018). This approach allows us to understand how the strategies that are safe current can be optimized to enhance the stability of local and support the territorial development. The justification for the choice of this qualitative approach is also based on the contextual nature of the research, as highlighted in Creswell (2013). Agadir, as a coastal city in Morocco, has a variety of actors - tourists, local residents, supporters, and authorities - including the complex interactions that require a nuanced approach. By adopting this methodology, the study manages to capture the specific relationships between these actors and to provide informed recommendations on the safe management of sporting events. The study also adopted an interpretative approach, to reveal the meanings subjective assigned by the participants in their experiments, in particular as regards the safety, crowd management, and relations with the security forces. This approach aligns with the theories of participatory governance stoker (1998), highlighting the importance of understanding the perceptions of stakeholders to develop effective management and adapt to local realities. 65 The data collection is based on two main methods : the semi-structured interviews and participant observation. These complementary methods allow for triangulation of data, thereby strengthening the validity of the results. The semi-structured interviews, a commonly used method in qualitative research, offer a flexible structure while allowing the participants to freely explore the relevant issues. A total of 30 interviews were conducted with key actors, including members of the security forces, event organisers, local authorities and supporters. Each interview lasted approximately 45 to 60 minutes, and focused on issues such as the perception of safety devices, power relations, and crowd management. In parallel, the participant observation enabled the researcher to collect direct data on the safe practices when five football games were held in agadir. The observation was focused on the behaviour of the fans, the reaction of the security forces, as well as on the management of crowds in the stadiums. This method has enriched the data collected during the interviews in capturing non-verbal and contextual, as the voltages at the points of control or group dynamics. This approach has allowed us to identify the practical challenges, such as problems of coordination between the entities in charge of security. The selection of participants has been carefully designed to ensure adequate representation. The sample included 152 participants, divided into several categories : fans, security forces, event organizers, and local authorities. This diversity of opinion and experiences, has helped ensure an overall view of the tensions and socio-cultural dynamics underlying. The selection criteria included the active role of participants in the management of the games, their direct experience, and their membership in different groups of supporters. The data analysis was based on a thematic analysis, a qualitative technique to identify and interpret the recurring themes in the data (Braun & Clarke, 2006). The analysis process followed several steps : familiarization with the data, coding the initial to identify relevant parts, and then grouping the codes into themes, such as the diverging perceptions of security and the impact of infrastructure on the management of crowds. The use of the software nvivo facilitated this analysis by effectively managing transcripts and ensuring traceability of rigorous analytical decisions (Bazeley & Jackson, 2013). Finally, the triangulation of data was essential to validate the results. by comparing the results of the interviews with the field observations, it has been possible to corroborate the information, and to ensure the validity of the findings (yin, 2018). This approach allowed us to identify similarities and differences in the perceptions of the different actors of the security, thus providing a holistic view of the dynamics at play. 66 In summary, this rigorous methodological approach has allowed us to grasp the subtleties of the interactions between the security forces, the event organizers, and supporters. The data collected provide a sound basis to propose practical recommendations aimed at improving the security governance to agadir, taking into account the specific social, cultural and territorial of the area. Results 1. Practices and security at football matches agadir The study revealed a number of security practices implemented during football matches in Agadir. These include excavations, plant systematic, strict access control, and surveillance cameras in and around the stadiums. These measures are seen as essential to ensure the safety of the events, but they are perceived differently depending on the actors involved. However, significant gaps have been identified, particularly in the training of security officers. Many participants have expressed their concerns about the inadequacy of the training received by the agents to effectively manage the crowds and respond to incidents. This gap undermines the effectiveness of security policies, increasing the risks of disorder and misunderstandings between the forces of order and the supporters. It is therefore necessary to strengthen the skills of the agents in the management of the crowds to help ensure optimum safety during sporting events. 2. Impact of social media on the safe and secure management Social media are playing an increasing role in the mobilization of supporters and the dissemination of information before, during, and after games. Although these platforms facilitate the fast coordination of collective actions, they also pose significant challenges to the security forces. Indeed, the rapid spread of rumors and disinformation could exacerbate tensions between the supporters and the authorities, leading to chain reactions, and the crowd is unpredictable. Our study highlights the importance of proactive monitoring and ethics of online discussions. The security forces must develop appropriate strategies to monitor and effectively manage the flow of information while respecting the privacy of individuals. Finding a balance between oversight necessary for the maintenance of public order and the protection of individual freedoms is imperative to avoid reinforcing the suspicion of the fans. 67 3. Barriers to organizational and logistical The actors safe to agadir are faced with a range of organizational challenges and logistics. The main difficulties identified in the study include : • concentration of fans in certain areas of the stadium, complicating the management of human resources. • scarcity of means of transportation, exacerbating tensions and clashes during travel to and from the stadium. • poor organization of the sale of tickets and low-level lighting around the stadium, which complicate operations, including during games night. • rugged topography of the stadium, which promotes the disordered movements and the risk of riots. These problems, combined with the inappropriate behaviour of some security agents, gave rise to a climate of tension between the forces of order and the supporters. The behaviour of law enforcement agencies is often perceived as excessive, exacerbating friction and negatively affecting the management of the events. 4. Inadequate infrastructure and lack of coordination The study reveals that the existing infrastructure in Agadir is insufficient to effectively manage the large crowds. The access roads are narrow and the control points are congested, creating potentially dangerous situations for the supporters and the security forces. In addition, a lack of coordination between the different entities responsible for the security (police, private security officers, event organisers) has been identified. This lack of cooperation leads to problems of communication, making the management strategies of the crowds inefficient and poorly adapted to the needs. 5. Mutual distrust between supporters and security forces Another key result concerns the mutual distrust between the police and the supporters. Security operations, such as the searches, and reinforced controls, are often perceived as repressive by the fans. This distrust is exacerbated by the lack of proactive communication between the security forces and groups of supporters. This situation makes the event management more difficult and may generate unnecessary tension. 6. Ambivalent role of social media Social media play an ambivalent role in the safe management of the sporting events in agadir. on the one hand, they facilitate the organization and the rapid mobilization of supporters. On the other hand, they pose additional challenges because of the rapid diffusion of information,