Morocco court upholds prison sentences for 18 Senegal fans over AFCON final pitch invasion

RABAT, Morocco — A court in Morocco has upheld prison sentences against 18 Senegalese fans convicted over a pitch invasion during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Final.

In a ruling delivered by the Rabat Court of Appeal, judges confirmed the original decisions issued by a lower court and rejected appeals from the defendants. Prosecutors had pushed for tougher penalties, but the court decided to maintain the existing sentences.

The 18 fans have been in detention since the night of the final, when parts of the stadium descended into disorder after the match. They were charged with hooliganism, violence against police officers, and damage to stadium equipment, allegations they denied throughout the trial.

Nine of the supporters were sentenced to one year in prison, while the remaining nine received terms ranging from three to six months. The court also imposed fines between €90 and €460 depending on individual responsibility.

Defense lawyers argued that the fans did not act violently and said they entered the pitch while trying to escape unsafe conditions in the stands. They said panic spread after objects were thrown, leading to confusion rather than intentional misconduct.

Lead defense lawyer Patrick Kabou said the prosecution failed to provide evidence to support its claims, adding that video and witness testimony did not clearly identify individual wrongdoing.

Despite this, the court ruled that the pitch invasion created serious security risks during one of African football’s biggest events and upheld the sentences.

The ruling is expected to spark further debate over stadium security and crowd control at major tournaments.