Prosecutors in Morocco on Thursday requested prison sentences of up to two years for 18 supporters from Senegal arrested after last month’s Africa Cup of Nations final, accusing them of “hooliganism,” a court hearing revealed.
Seeking the stiffest penalties for some of the defendants, the prosecution argued that they had “deliberately sought to disrupt the proper conduct of the match,” alleging they carried out acts of violence broadcast live on television. The accused supporters have denied all wrongdoing.
The fans have been held in pre-trial detention since January 18, the day of the tense final in which Morocco lost 1–0 to Senegal on home soil.
Shortly before full time, some Senegalese supporters attempted to invade the pitch, while Senegal’s players temporarily stopped play for nearly 20 minutes in protest of a late penalty awarded to Morocco. Some spectators were also seen throwing objects, including a chair, onto the field.
Prosecutors told the court that their case relies on stadium surveillance footage and medical reports documenting injuries sustained by security personnel and stewards. They added that damage to stadium property was estimated at more than 4 million Moroccan dirhams (about $430,000).
Morocco is scheduled to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.
ELIJAH ADEYEMI
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