Photo: Senegal and Morocco fans clash at AFCON final on January 18
Prosecutors in Morocco on Thursday requested prison sentences of up to two years for 18 Senegalese football fans arrested following unrest during last month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Rabat.
According to an AFP journalist present in court, the prosecution urged judges to impose the maximum penalty on some of the defendants, accusing them of deliberately attempting to disrupt the match.
The fans have been in pre-trial detention since January 18, the day of the heated AFCON final in which Morocco lost 1-0 to Senegal on home soil.
Court proceedings heard that minutes before the final whistle, some Senegalese supporters allegedly attempted to invade the pitch, while Senegal’s players briefly halted play for nearly 20 minutes in protest of a late penalty awarded to Morocco. Footage from the match also showed objects, including a chair, being thrown onto the field.
Prosecutors argued that the accused committed acts of violence that were broadcast live on television and said their case was supported by surveillance camera footage from the stadium, as well as medical reports documenting injuries sustained by security personnel and stadium stewards.
They further stated that the damage to the stadium was estimated at more than 4 million Moroccan dirhams (approximately $430,000).
However, the defendants have denied any wrongdoing.
The case comes as Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, placing increased international focus on security and event management standards in the North African nation.
