Former Senegal coach Amara Traoré slams harsh jail terms for fans after AFCON 2025 final incident

Former Senegal head coach Amara Traoré has strongly condemned the prison sentences handed down to 18 Senegalese supporters in Rabat, describing the punishment as excessive and beyond the scope of sport.

The supporters were arrested following incidents during the Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal national football team and Morocco national football team on January 18, 2026. On Thursday, February 19, the Rabat Court of First Instance sentenced them to prison terms ranging from three months to one year.

Breaking his silence a day after the verdict, Traoré expressed disbelief at the severity of the rulings. “No one expected these sentences. It goes beyond the realm of football. Three months to a year in prison is too much,” he stated.

The former Lions of Teranga boss argued that the individuals involved should not simply be viewed as troublemakers in a football-related disturbance. Instead, he framed the matter as one carrying broader national and emotional implications.

“Today, they are heroes, soldiers,” Traoré said. “I call for a peaceful national march, where everyone comes out with the flag. Let the country rise up as one. Morocco must come to its senses.”

His remarks have added fuel to an already sensitive situation, as reactions continue to pour in from Senegal over the fate of the detained supporters. The case has sparked debate about the balance between maintaining public order at major sporting events and ensuring proportional legal consequences.

As tensions linger in the aftermath of the AFCON final, Traoré’s call for peaceful mobilisation underscores the emotional weight the issue carries back home, with many awaiting further developments in the case.