A jailed Senegalese fan is awaiting a judge’s response to his denial of any wrongdoing during the African Cup of Nations final in Morocco.
Published April 14, 2026
The 18 Senegalese soccer supporters found guilty of trespassing on the pitch during January’s chaotic African Cup of Nations final in Rabat have denied any wrongdoing.
In February, a Moroccan court sentenced 18 Senegalese soccer fans to prison terms ranging from three to 12 months for hooliganism.
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Prosecutors had asked for harsher penalties at Rabat’s Court of Appeal, but the initial verdict was upheld on Monday.
The Senegalese claimed they were forced onto the pitch by the crowd, or to avoid being spat at and pelted with projectiles.
They insisted it was not to protest the referee’s decision after the AFCON final on January 18, which Senegal won 1-0. Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko condemned the decision.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) reversed Senegal’s victory last month and awarded Morocco the title two months after the final.
The Senegalese Football Federation immediately instructed its lawyers to: bring the action To the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Defense lawyer Naima El Gheraf asked the court on Monday to show a video of the incident to confirm the identities of the 18 Senegalese.
This is a step rejected by prosecutors, who claim that Senegalese were caught in the act.
“The whole world saw these horrifying images live,” he claimed.
The judge has not yet responded to a request to play the video of the incident.
“There was a mistake. The people involved in the incident are currently in Senegal and not here,” Patrick Kabou, a second lawyer, told AFP.
