Senegal football federation denounces verdict in Morocco against fans
Al Jazeera
February 20, 2026
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The Senegalese Football Federation has strongly condemned what it calls an "incomprehensibly harsh" court verdict against 18 of its fans in Morocco, who were sentenced to prison terms ranging from three months to a year for hooliganism charges related to the AFCON final. The incident occurred on January 18 after Senegal's 1-0 victory over Morocco in Rabat, where some supporters attempted a pitch invasion and were subsequently detained. Eighteen fans were held since the match and later convicted for acts including violence against law enforcement, damage to sports equipment, pitch invasion, and throwing projectiles. Nine received one-year sentences with fines, while six others got six months and three were sentenced to three months. The federation and defense lawyers argued that such harsh penalties are disproportionate compared to similar incidents in other countries.
The trial stemmed from chaotic scenes during the final match, where Senegal's players halted play for nearly 20 minutes to protest a late penalty awarded to Morocco. Fans also threw objects, including a chair, onto the field toward the end of the game. The defendants were prosecuted under Morocco's strict hooliganism laws, which led to their convictions on Thursday. Bacary Cisse, head of the Senegalese Football Federation’s communications committee, expressed deep dismay over the verdict, calling it "incomprehensible" and highlighting widespread outrage among fans.
This case has sparked broader concerns about the treatment of football fans globally, particularly in countries where similar incidents often result in lesser sanctions. The Senegal supporters' harsh sentences have drawn comparisons to other stadium-related clashes worldwide, many of which do not lead to such severe legal actions. The Federation emphasized that the disproportionate nature of the penalties undermines fair justice and risks deterring球迷 from supporting their teams abroad. This incident underscores the ongoing challenges of balancing spectator behavior with legal accountability in the highly charged environment of international sports events.
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/20/2026