Moroccan prosecutor seeks harsher sentences for 18 Senegalese football supporters

Eighteen Senegalese football supporters, arrested after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco, are appealing their convictions for "hooliganism." The Moroccan public prosecutor's office has requested that their sentences be increased to up to two years in prison. The supporters were initially sentenced on February 19 to prison terms ranging from three months to one year. During their appeal hearing in Rabat, the accused maintained their innocence, stating they went onto the field to escape crowd confusion, not to protest an arbitration decision. Some claimed they were trying to flee "spitting and projectile throwing." The defense lawyer, Naïma El Guellaf, requested that videos of the incidents used by the prosecution be shown to verify the identification of the accused. However, the prosecutor's office opposed this request, arguing it was unnecessary as "the whole world saw these distressing images live." The judge has not yet ruled on this request. Another defense lawyer, Patrick Kabou, suggested that the investigation might contain errors, stating that those truly involved are in Senegal. The appeal hearing is ongoing, and the Rabat Court of Appeal will decide whether to uphold or increase the initial sentences.