Morocco: Appeal trial for 18 Senegalese football fans postponed after witness request rejected

The Rabat Court of Appeal has postponed the appeal trial for 18 Senegalese supporters convicted following incidents at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco. The decision was made on Monday, April 13, 2026, after the court rejected a defense request to hear Patrice Motsepe, president of the Confederation of African Football, as a witness. The defense argued that Motsepe's testimony could provide context on the competition's organization and the circumstances of the final's incidents. However, the public prosecutor opposed this, stating that the CAF president's testimony would not be relevant to uncovering the truth or introduce new evidence. The court sided with the prosecution, rejecting the request and adjourning the case to a later date, which has not yet been announced. The 18 Senegalese nationals remain in detention, where they have been since January 2026, awaiting the outcome of their appeal.