Moroccan prosecutors seek up to two-year jail terms for 18 Senegal fans over AFCON final pitch incident

Moroccan prosecutors are pushing for prison sentences of up to two years for 18 Senegalese supporters accused of attempting to enter the pitch during the AFCON 2025 final, escalating an already tense legal battle stemming from one of African football’s most disputed recent showpieces.

The fans were initially convicted in February by a Moroccan court on charges linked to hooliganism and public disorder, receiving prison terms ranging from several months.

Prosecutors have since appealed the ruling, arguing that the seriousness of the incident during a major continental final justifies tougher punishment.

At the heart of the case are chaotic scenes late in the match, when the group of supporters moved toward the edge of the pitch amid confusion and heavy crowd pressure.

The defendants insist they did not intend any violence or disruption, maintaining that they were reacting instinctively to a sudden surge in the stands that left little room to move safely.

Their lawyers argue the actions were driven by self-protection rather than misconduct.

During proceedings on Monday, defence lawyer Naima El Guellaf requested that video footage of the incident be shown in court to help verify the identities of the accused. The prosecution opposed the request, insisting the footage already clearly shows those involved.

“The entire world saw these terrible images live,” the prosecution argued.

The court has not yet ruled on whether the footage will be replayed.

Another defence lawyer, Patrick Kabou, told AFP that there had been misidentification issues, adding that some of those implicated were not present in court and were currently in Senegal.

The defence maintains that the prosecution’s interpretation fails to account for the disorder inside the stadium at the time.

The case is unfolding alongside broader controversy surrounding the tournament outcome. Reports indicate that the Confederation of African Football overturned Senegal’s result last month, awarding the title to Morocco two months after the final.

That decision has further intensified tensions around the legal proceedings, adding a wider sporting and political dimension to the dispute.

In response, the Senegal Football Federation has instructed its legal team to challenge the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, seeking to reverse the decision and restore what it considers the original outcome.

The case continues to attract widespread attention across African football, underscoring growing concerns over stadium safety and the increasing overlap between sport and legal conflict.