The Senegalese Football Federation considered on Friday that the ruling issued by the Moroccan judiciary against the fans was “unfathomably harsh” and “disproportionate.” The Moroccan judiciary had sentenced 18 Senegalese fans, who had been detained in Morocco since the African Cup of Nations final in mid-January, to between three months and one year in prison. The fans were prosecuted before the Rabat Court on “riot” charges, including acts of violence, especially against security forces, sabotaging sports equipment, storming the field, and throwing projectiles, against the backdrop of the events of the African Cup of Nations final.
Published on: 02/20/2026 - 22:49
The Senegalese Football Federation on Friday described the Moroccan judiciary's ruling against the arrested fans as "unfathomably harsh" and "disproportionate."
The Moroccan judiciary issued prison sentences ranging from three months to one year. Against 18 Senegalese fans, who have been arrested in Morocco since the African Cup of Nations final in mid-January.
The defendants were prosecuted before the Rabat Court on “riot” charges, which include acts of violence, especially against security forces, sabotaging sports equipment, storming the stadium floor, and throwing projectiles, against the backdrop of riots witnessed in the final of the African Cup of Nations.
Read also: Morocco: The judiciary sentences 18 Senegalese fans to prison for between three months and a year on charges of rioting during the African Cup of Nations final.
Nine of them were sentenced to one year in prison and a fine of 5,000 dirhams (about 460 euros), six others to six months and a fine of 2,000 dirhams (180 euros), and the remaining three were sentenced to three months in prison and a fine of 1,000 dirhams (90 euros).
The head of the media committee of the Senegalese Federation, Bakary Cisse, said in a statement to Agence France-Presse: “We express our deep dissatisfaction and bewilderment after the ruling issued against the eighteen Senegalese fans. This decision, which is characterized by incomprehensible cruelty, arouses extreme anger.”
He added, "What we consider to be a form of blatant injustice against our citizens raises concerns. Fights occur in many stadiums around the world, including every weekend in Morocco, without leading to such sanctions. Therefore, it appears that the treatment of these fans was disproportionate."
The French-Senegalese defendants' lawyer, Patrick Cabo, registered at the Bar Association in Gers, France, told Agence France-Presse on Thursday, commenting, "It is incomprehensible," denouncing that his clients are being used as "scapegoats."
Read also: 2025 African Cup of Nations Final: Senegal coach and Achraf Hakimi suspended, host country Morocco fined
A Frenchman who was tried alongside the Senegalese for throwing a water bottle was sentenced to three months in prison and a fine of 1,000 dirhams.
Senegal won the title after defeating Morocco 1-0 after overtime in a chaotic final that witnessed riots after a penalty kick was awarded to Morocco in stoppage time of the second half, after a Senegal goal was cancelled.
“Tiranga Lions” fans tried to storm the field for approximately 15 minutes, even while Ibrahim Dias was preparing to take the penalty kick, which he missed in the end. In extra time, Pape Gui scored the winning goal for Senegal with a missile shot.
A number of Senegal fans also threw objects on the field, including at least one chair.
France 24/AFP
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