Morocco sentenced 18 Senegalese soccer followers final Thursday following disturbances on the Africa Cup of Nations last.
Printed On 25 Feb 2026
Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has adopted his nation’s soccer affiliation in denouncing Morocco’s jailing of 18 Senegalese followers following January’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) last in Rabat.
The Teranga Lions supporters have been arrested throughout the final within the Moroccan capital, which was controversially suspended because the Senegal gamers left the pitch in protest in opposition to the late award of a penalty to the host nation.
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Followers, in response, tried to enter the sector of play through the match on January 19, resulting in the arrest of 18 individuals who have been later charged with hooliganism and violence in opposition to safety officers.
Jail sentences have been handed out final Thursday to them, starting from three months to at least one yr, together with fines of as much as 5,000 dirhams ($545).
“It appears this matter goes past the realm of sport and that’s regrettable,” Sonko instructed the Senegalese parliament on Tuesday.
“For 2 nations that decision one another mates, like Morocco and Senegal, issues shouldn’t have gone this far.”
The 18 followers have denied any wrongdoing however haven’t appealed the sentence. Senegal, nevertheless, will search a royal pardon from Morocco’s King Mohammed VI.
“If they don’t, now we have agreements that bind us and permit us to request that the supporters serve their sentences in their very own nation,” Sonko added.
The Senegal Soccer Affiliation had immediately spoken out on the time of the sentences, describing them as “incomprehensibly harsh”.
“Clashes happen in quite a few stadiums around the globe, together with each weekend in Morocco, with out leading to such sanctions,” Bacary Cisse, the president of the FSF’s communications committee, stated.
“The remedy of those supporters due to this fact seems disproportionate.”
Defence lawyer for the 18, Patrick Kabou, had stated on February 6 that they have been nonetheless “ready to study the costs”.
He added that some had chosen to go on starvation strike in opposition to their detention and remedy.
In response to the sentencing, Kabou echoed the “incomprehensible” sentiment, saying his shoppers have been “victims”.
Senegal have been the eventual winners of the ultimate after the match resumed following the gamers’ protest, securing a 1-0 win in additional time.
