Rabat – The 18 Senegalese fans sentenced in Morocco for their involvement in hooliganism and vandalism during the chaotic AFCON final between Morocco and Senegal will appear in an appeal trial next week on Monday.
A Moroccan court in Rabat sentenced the defendants to prison terms between one to three years, according to converging media and official reports.
In a report earlier today, the French outlet TV5Monde quoted one of the defendants’ wives as lamenting that her living situation has been “hard” since her husband’s sentencing.
“I don’t know how I’m going to pay for the children’s school fees or even for food,” she said.
The 18 imprisoned fans were engaged in chaotic and disturbing scenes as they attempted to storm the pitch, clashing with security guards and even destroying facilities at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on January 18.
The chaotic AFCON final between Senegal and Morocco was marked by the Senegalese team walking off the pitch to protest the referee’s decision to award Morocco a late-minute penalty.
After more than 15 minutes of chaos and uncertainty, the players walked back on their decision to forfeit the match’s final minutes. c
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Following Monday’s judiciary verdict on the fate of the Senegalese fans, Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko sharply criticized Morocco for sentencing the fans.
The case “has gone beyond the realm of sport,” he said, claiming matters between the two countries “should never have escalated to this level.”
Sonko called the sentences “regrettable,” appearing to make light of the sentenced fans’ documented involvement in hooliganism, acts of violence against security officers, damage to sports facilities, pitch invasion, and projectile throwing during the AFCON final.
“For two countries that consider themselves friends like Morocco and Senegal, things should not have escalated to this level,” he said, promising Dakar will do “everything possible” to secure the release of the 18 nationals.
While appearing to hint at a specially requested royal pardon for the Senegalese fans, he also vowed his country could activate a bilateral deal to allow the mutual transfer of convicted persons between Rabat and Dakar.
