The Rabat Court of Appeal has upheld the prison sentences for 18 Senegalese football supporters following a six-hour hearing on Monday night.
These individuals were arrested during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) final on January 18 at the Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Morocco. The supporters were initially convicted of “hooliganism” on February 19, a charge that encompassed acts of violence against law enforcement, pitch invasion, throwing projectiles, and causing damage to stadium equipment. Defense attorney Patrick Kabou confirmed the ruling, noting that the trial had been postponed from its original March 30 date to allow for more thorough preparation.
The proceedings were marked by tension as the public prosecutor argued for even harsher penalties than those handed down in the first instance. The hearing was briefly interrupted when one of the defendants fell ill, but it resumed shortly thereafter to reach a final decision. Under the confirmed sentences, nine individuals will serve one year in prison alongside a 5,000-dirham fine, while six others were handed six-month sentences with 2,000-dirham fines. The remaining three supporters, along with a French citizen of Algerian origin, received three-month sentences and 1,000-dirham fines.
For those serving the shortest terms of three months, their time in detention since the January final means they are eligible for release as early as this coming Saturday. This legal outcome concludes a high-profile case that has drawn significant attention to the administrative and disciplinary oversight of continental football events. The ruling underscores the strict stance taken by Moroccan authorities regarding stadium security and fan conduct following the conclusion of the 2025 tournament.
AK/Sf/fss/abj/APA