Court of Appeal Upholds Sentences for Senegalese Fans Involved in AFCON Final Disturbances

The Court of Appeal in Rabat upheld the initial sentences issued against Senegalese fans involved in the disturbances during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, which pitted the Moroccan national team against Senegal. The decision came after a lengthy session that extended into the late hours of Monday night and early Tuesday morning.

The court's decision to affirm the initial rulings followed an extensive session of arguments, which commenced on Monday afternoon and included several breaks. During the appeal phase, the judicial panel heard the defense's arguments, which primarily focused on challenging the evidence presented.

The defense for the accused had requested the presentation of videos related to the riots and violence during the final to verify the identities of those involved. However, the Public Prosecution rejected this request, asserting that the facts were established and the details of the events were clear to the public.

The Court of Appeal also heard the arguments from the civil party and the Public Prosecution's responses before issuing its final decision to uphold the original sentences.

It is worth noting that the Rabat Court of First Instance had issued various sentences last February against 18 defendants, ranging from three months to one year in prison, along with financial fines determined by the nature of the charges against each fan.