Senegalese fans imprisoned in Morocco face harsher sentences on appeal

The prosecution is seeking longer sentences than those originally handed down.

The appeal hearing for the 18 Senegalese fans detained in Morocco since the incidents at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final began on Monday 13 April. However, appearing before the judge in Rabat, they insisted they had not taken part in the incidents during the final, according to reports by RMC Sport. These supporters explained that they had run onto the pitch to escape a stampede, and not to provoke violence.

The defence believes there may have been a mistake and has requested that the videos be reviewed. However, this request has been rejected by the prosecution, which is seeking harsher sentences. Consequently, the 18 supporters, who were sentenced to between three months and one year in prison at first instance, now face up to two years’ imprisonment on appeal.