CAF: Morocco upholds sentences despite Patrice Motsepe plea

Morocco’s appeal court has upheld prison sentences against 18 Senegalese football supporters, despite comments from Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe calling for their release.

The ruling, which maintains sentences ranging from three months to one year, comes after Motsepe publicly acknowledged responsibility for the situation, stating that the supporters had been arrested inside a stadium during a CAF-organised event.

“They were arrested in the stadium, so it’s our responsibility,” declared CAF President Patrice Motsepe, adding, “The release of the 18 Senegalese supporters is a perfectly legitimate request,” before traveling to Morocco.

However, Moroccan authorities did not act on that position.

The appeal court instead confirmed the initial verdicts, delivering a significant setback to efforts aimed at securing the supporters’ release.

The decision marks a key moment in a case that has drawn attention across African football, raising questions about accountability and the role of governing bodies in incidents involving fans during official competitions.

According to the supporters’ lawyer, Patrick Kabou, the court found no reason to overturn the earlier judgement despite arguments presented by the defence.

“The Court confirmed the decision rendered in the first instance. We had submitted arguments regarding the validity of the ruling, after transcribing part of the CAF press conference and providing the Court with material evidence, including photos and videos,” he explained, as reported by the Senegalese press agency.

Kabou indicated that the defence had attempted to challenge both the legal basis of the ruling and the evidence used to convict the supporters.

This included referencing statements made by CAF officials and submitting visual material intended to support their case.

The lawyer also sought to widen the scope of responsibility by calling for both CAF and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation to be summoned in their roles as organisers of the match during which the arrests took place.

“The evidence must be presented in court. However, no evidence has been presented to establish the guilt of the Senegalese supporters,” argued Mr. Kabou.

He maintained that the case lacked sufficient proof to justify the convictions, emphasising that the legal process should rely strictly on verifiable material evidence.

During proceedings, Kabou reported tensions in the courtroom, noting that an incident occurred after he declined to withdraw some of his statements.

While details of the exchange were not fully disclosed, it underscored the contentious nature of the hearing.

In addition to contesting the charges, the defence highlighted actions taken by the supporters themselves following their arrest.

Kabou stated that two formal complaints had been filed alleging assault and battery.

He added that these complaints were not included in the case file reviewed by the court, raising further concerns from the defence about how the case had been handled.

“Our compatriots must be judged based on material evidence,” he maintained.

The case centres on events that unfolded during a football match organised under CAF’s authority, though the specifics of the incident leading to the arrests have not been detailed in court statements cited by the defence.

Motsepe’s remarks had initially been interpreted as a signal that CAF would push for a resolution in favour of the detained supporters, particularly given his assertion of organisational responsibility.

However, the Moroccan court’s decision suggests that judicial proceedings have remained independent of those comments, with the appeal ruling reinforcing the original sentences handed down earlier.

The outcome leaves the 18 Senegalese supporters facing confirmed prison terms, despite continued objections from their legal representatives.

The situation is likely to remain under scrutiny, particularly as it touches on broader issues of governance, legal process and the treatment of supporters at major football events across the continent.