The appeal trial of Senegalese supporters detained since the AFCON 2025 final, initially scheduled to take place in Rabat on Monday has been postponed to April 13.
The defendants were sentenced on February 19 by the Rabat Court of First Instance to prison terms ranging from three months to one year for offenses related to public disorder during a sporting event.
The supporters were arrested following the final played on January 18 between Morocco and Senegal, after incidents broke out in the stands of the Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat.
According to media reports, the postponement of the appeal hearing to April 13 is linked to “a request by a defendant of Franco-Algerian nationality.”
The accused are being prosecuted on charges of “hooliganism,” encompassing acts of violence, particularly against law enforcement officers, damage to sports facilities, pitch invasion, and the throwing of projectiles.
On March 17, the Appeals Jury of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), acting under Article 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations, ruled that Senegal had forfeited the AFCON 2025 final, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory by default. The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has decided to challenge the ruling before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
On Sunday, CAF President Patrice Motsepe stated that the governing body respects the decision of its appeals committee regarding the incidents that marred the final. “As CAF President, I respect the decision issued by the appeals committee,” Motsepe said at a press conference following a CAF Executive Committee meeting held in the Egyptian capital.
He added that the matter is now in the hands of the CAS and that CAF will make no further comment pending the final ruling.
AK/lb/as/APA