Moroccan prosecutors are pushing for prison sentences of up to two years for 18 Senegalese supporters accused of attempting to enter the pitch during the AFCON 2025 final, escalating a legal case that has added further controversy to one of African football’s most disputed recent tournaments.
The supporters were initially convicted in February by a Moroccan court on charges related to hooliganism and public disorder. At the time, they received prison sentences ranging from several months, depending on individual involvement.
However, prosecutors have since filed an appeal, arguing that the severity of the incident during a continental final warrants tougher punishment, including significantly longer custodial sentences.
Morocco‘s interest
The case stems from chaotic scenes late in the final, when a group of Senegal supporters moved toward the pitch area amid confusion and heavy pressure inside the stadium. The situation quickly developed into disorder, drawing security intervention and leading to multiple arrests.
The accused, however, maintain their innocence, insisting they had no intention of causing disruption or violence. According to their testimony, the incident was triggered by a sudden surge in the stands, leaving supporters with little space to move safely.
Their legal representatives argue that the actions were instinctive and driven by self-protection rather than any deliberate attempt to invade the pitch or cause trouble.
During proceedings on Monday, defence lawyer Naima El Guellaf requested that video footage of the incident be shown in court to help verify the identities of those accused. The prosecution opposed the request, insisting the available footage already clearly identifies those involved.
Senegal fans crime
“The entire world saw these terrible images live,” the prosecution argued, maintaining that the evidence is sufficient.
The court has not yet ruled on whether the footage will be replayed during the appeal hearing.
Another defence lawyer, Patrick Kabou, raised concerns over possible misidentification, stating that some individuals linked to the case were not even present in court and are currently in Senegal. The defence maintains that the prosecution’s interpretation does not fully reflect the confusion and overcrowding inside the stadium at the time.
The case is unfolding alongside wider controversy surrounding the tournament itself. Reports have suggested that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturned Senegal’s original result in the final, awarding the title to Morocco weeks after the match.
That decision has further intensified tensions linked to the legal proceedings, adding both sporting and political weight to the dispute.
In response, the Senegal Football Federation has reportedly instructed its legal team to challenge the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), seeking to overturn the decision and restore the original outcome of the final.
As proceedings continue, the case has become a focal point in African football, raising renewed concerns about stadium safety, crowd control, and the growing intersection between legal systems and high-profile sporting events.
