A Moroccan court has handed prison sentences to several supporters of Senegal’s national football team following disturbances at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Rabat.
The supporters were convicted on charges including hooliganism, property damage, and clashes with security forces after tensions flared during the closing stages of the final between Senegal and Morocco. Authorities said the unrest resulted in damage to stadium facilities and injuries among security personnel.
Court rulings issued this week sentenced multiple fans to jail terms ranging from three months to one year, alongside financial penalties. Moroccan officials maintained that the sentences were based on violations of public order laws and stadium security regulations.
The verdicts have triggered reactions in Senegal, where some political figures and civil society groups have described the punishments as excessive. Demonstrations were reported in Dakar, with protesters calling for diplomatic intervention and the release or repatriation of the convicted supporters.
Senegalese authorities have indicated they are engaging Moroccan counterparts through diplomatic channels to seek clarity on the case and explore possible legal remedies, including appeals or potential sentence transfers.
The incident has reignited debate across African football about crowd control, fan accountability, and the handling of cross-border sporting disputes. With AFCON serving as the continent’s flagship football tournament, the case underscores the broader challenges of balancing public security with diplomatic sensitivity in high-stakes sporting events.
