Rabat- A Moroccan court has sentenced an Algerian supporter to eight months in prison for deliberately tearing Moroccan banknotes during a match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
According to converging reports, the ruling was handed down on Thursday by the Court of First Instance in Marrakech, which also imposed a fine of MAD 500 ($50) on the defendant, who is a British national of Algerian origin.
The case follows an incident that unfolded during the quarter-final match between Algeria and Nigeria at the Grand Stadium of Marrakech.
Footage showing the supporter ripping Moroccan currency from the stands spread rapidly on social media, which triggered a wave of public backlash.
The act was widely seen as a provocation and an affront to national symbols, prompting swift intervention by the authorities.
Security services moved quickly to identify and arrest the individual after the video went viral.
During questioning, conducted under the supervision of the public prosecutor, the accused admitted to the act. Investigators concluded that the gesture was deliberate, paving the way for an expedited trial.
Under Moroccan law, the intentional destruction of national currency constitutes a criminal offense, as it amounts to an insult to state symbols and a breach of conduct rules governing sporting events.
Through this verdict, the judiciary signals a firm stance on such acts, particularly in the context of major international competitions hosted on Moroccan soil.
