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Rabat — The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has strongly criticised a Moroccan court ruling that sentenced 18 Senegalese supporters to prison following acts of vandalism and violence at the AFCON 2025 final in Rabat. The FSF described the decision as “incomprehensibly harsh” and disproportionate, expressing deep dismay over the outcome.
The sentences, handed down by a court in Rabat on February 19, followed charges of hooliganism against fans who had been detained since the AFCON final on January 18, which saw Senegal clinch the trophy from host Morocco in 1-0 extra time. The court convicted the 18 Senegalese nationals on allegations including violence against law enforcement, damage to sports facilities, pitch invasion and throwing projectiles.
Under the verdict, nine of the fans were sentenced to one year in prison and fined MAD 5,000 (about $545), six received six-month sentences with fines of MAD 2,000 (around $218), and three were given three-month prison terms and fined MAD 1,000 (around $109).
In comments to AFP, Bacary Cissé, president of the FSF’s communications committee, said “We express our profound dismay and distress following the verdict”. He described the penalties as “harsh” and “disproportionate” and that they had sparked widespread outrage among Senegalese football stakeholders.
“Clashes occur in numerous stadiums around the world, including every weekend in Morocco, without resulting in such sanctions,” Cissé argued.
The criticism from the FSF shows how much tension is still lingering after that final. During the match, after the Senegalese team unlawfully halted the match in protest over a penalty awarded to Morocco, some Senegalese fans tried to storm the pitch and throw objects onto the field amid heightened emotions in the stadium. The supporters’ defense lawyer, Patrick Kabou, also condemned the verdict, calling it “incomprehensible” and suggesting that the fans had been treated unfairly in the legal process. Kabou claimed that his clients were made “victims” in the wake of the chaotic scenes that followed the referee’s controversial decision during the final.
The FSF has indicated it will continue to monitor the situation closely, and discussions have begun around possible appeals and diplomatic engagement to address what they perceive as a case of injustice against Senegalese fans.
