Morocco Releases Three Senegalese Supporters After Serving Sentences Over AFCON Final Unrest

Casablanca – Three Senegalese supporters detained after the violent incidents that marred the Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat have been released after serving their sentences, according to the AFP. The men were among 18 individuals convicted following the unrest that erupted during the January 18 match.

They had received three-month prison terms, the shortest handed down by the Rabat court. The remaining supporters, sentenced to between six months and one year, remain in custody.

The arrests followed scenes of disorder inside the stadium as tensions boiled over late in the final. According to court findings, some supporters attempted to invade the pitch and threw projectiles, actions that led to charges of hooliganism, including violence against security forces and damage to facilities.  

The match itself had spiraled into confusion after a controversial sequence of refereeing decisions, prompting disruptions both on the field and in the stands. Players briefly left the pitch as the situation deteriorated, before returning to complete the game.  

Read also: Rabat Court Upholds Sentences for 18 Senegalese Fans in AFCON Riot Case

Moroccan authorities moved quickly at the time, arresting those involved and prosecuting the case within weeks. The sentences, later upheld on appeal, were seen as a firm response to behavior that authorities said endangered public safety and undermined the integrity of a major continental event.

While some of the defendants claimed they had been caught in a crowd movement rather than actively participating in the violence, the court maintained that the incidents were clearly documented and warranted punishment.

The case has continued to draw reactions in Senegal, including public demonstrations calling for the supporters’ release. But in Morocco, the line has remained consistent. Acts of violence in stadiums will not be tolerated, regardless of context.

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