Tensions surrounding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final show no signs of fading. The controversy deepened after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeals Committee controversially awarded Morocco a 3-0 forfeit victory on March 17, despite Senegal’s 1-0 triumph on the field. The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) swiftly escalated the matter by appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Adding to the complexity, legal proceedings continue against 18 Senegalese supporters accused of hooliganism following unrest during the final match on January 18. Initially sentenced on February 19 to prison terms ranging from three months to one year, the supporters faced an appeal hearing in Rabat this week.
During the appeal hearing, it was revealed that supporters sentenced to three months may be released as early as this coming Saturday. The accused consistently denied the allegations, while the prosecution pushed for stricter penalties, including up to two years imprisonment, according to RMC. The charges include violence against law enforcement, pitch invasion, and throwing objects.
courtroom disputes highlight conflicting accounts
The defense presented a starkly different narrative. The supporters claimed they were driven onto the pitch by crowd surges or to escape « spitting and projectile attacks », rather than protesting a refereeing decision. « Mistakes were made—those responsible for the chaos are back in Senegal and absent from this courtroom », argued Patrick Kabou, one of their attorneys, speaking to AFP.
The hearing became a procedural battleground as the defense sought to have footage of the incidents admitted as evidence to formally identify their clients. This request was denied by the prosecution, which cited the clear evidence of the incident: « The world witnessed these appalling scenes live ».
