The Senegalese Football Federation has strongly criticised a Moroccan court ruling that sentenced 18 Senegalese supporters over disturbances during last month’s Africa Cup of Nations final, describing the punishment as excessive and disproportionate.
The supporters were detained on January 18, 2026, following the final held in Morocco, where Senegal defeated the host nation 1 0. Tensions reportedly flared late in the match, with some Senegalese fans attempting to enter the pitch. Senegal’s players also halted the game for nearly 20 minutes in protest against a late penalty decision awarded to Morocco. Objects, including a chair, were allegedly thrown onto the field.
According to reports, the defendants were prosecuted in Rabat on charges of hooliganism, including alleged violence against law enforcement officers, damage to sports equipment, pitch invasion and throwing projectiles.
Nine of the supporters were sentenced to one year in prison and fined 5,000 dirhams, while six received six month jail terms and fines of 2,000 dirhams. The remaining three were handed three month sentences and fined 1,000 dirhams.
Reacting to the ruling, Bacary Cisse, president of the federation’s communications committee, expressed profound dismay. He described the verdict as incomprehensibly harsh and said it had provoked widespread outrage in Senegal. Cisse questioned the proportionality of the sanctions, noting that similar clashes occur in stadiums worldwide without attracting such penalties.
Defence lawyer Patrick Kabou also criticised the judgment, calling it incomprehensible and insisting that his clients were victims.
Moroccan prosecutors had earlier sought jail terms of up to two years, arguing that the supporters deliberately attempted to disrupt the proper conduct of the match.
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