Morocco jails 18 Senegalese fans for 3 months to 1 year over AFCON final violence

A Moroccan court on Thursday sentenced 18 Senegalese fans to prison terms ranging from three months to one year, following their arrest in connection with disturbances during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final held in the country, according to Anadolu Agency.

The fans were detained on 18 January after causing trouble during the final between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, which was won by the Senegalese national team, the “Lions of Teranga.”

The court convicted them of “acts of rioting and violence, particularly against security forces, damaging sporting equipment, storming the pitch, and throwing projectiles.” All 18 received prison sentences between three and twelve months.

Earlier on Thursday, the Moroccan public prosecutor at the Rabat First Instance Court had called for the fans to be sentenced to two years in jail. The prosecutor said the defendants “intentionally disrupted the match and committed acts of violence broadcast live on television.”

On 19 January, FIFA president Gianni Infantino criticised scenes from the AFCON final as “unacceptable,” referring to the match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat.

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