chargement...
On Monday night, the Rabat Court of Appeal upheld the sentences of 18 Senegalese fans, ranging from three months to one year in prison, for their involvement in acts of hooliganism during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final. The public prosecutor had sought harsher penalties, according to AFP.
The fans, who have been in detention since the January 18 final, were charged with violence against security forces, vandalism, storming the pitch, and throwing projectiles.
In the initial ruling, nine defendants were sentenced to one year in prison and fined 5,000 dirhams. Six others received six-month sentences and a 2,000-dirham fine, while three were given three months in prison and fined 1,000 dirhams. A French national of Algerian descent received the same three-month sentence and fine. Those given three-month sentences are expected to be released starting next Saturday.
During the appeal hearing, the defendants maintained their innocence. Most testified in Wolof, with translation into French and Arabic, saying they entered the pitch due to crowd pressure or to escape «spitting and projectiles», not to protest refereeing decisions.
Defense lawyer Patrick Kabou, who represented many of the fans, said he «takes note» of the ruling, adding that «the prosecution did not provide any evidence».
Another defense lawyer, Naïma El Guellaf, asked for video footage to be shown in court to verify the identification of the defendants, but the public prosecutor rejected the request, citing flagrante delicto and arguing that «the whole world saw these images live». Kabou also argued that «there are mistakes», adding that «the real culprits are in Senegal» and «are not here».
