Senegalese Supporters’ Appeal Postponed in Morocco Following CAN 2025 Violence

The legal battle surrounding the aftermath of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) took another turn this week as the Rabat Court of Appeal postponed the trial of 18 Senegalese supporters. The group, who have been in detention since January 2026, are appealing convictions related to violent incidents that erupted during the tournament’s final.

The proceedings, held on Monday, April 13, 2026, stalled after the court rejected a critical request from the defense. Lawyers for the accused sought to call Patrice Motsepe, the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), as a witness. The defense argued that Motsepe’s testimony could provide essential insight into the sporting and organizational context of the events that led to the unrest.

The prosecution blocked the move, dismissing the request as “useless” and claiming it would offer no new evidence to the case. With the request denied and no further procedural developments, the court adjourned the case to a later date, which has not yet been announced. For the 18 supporters, this means a continued stay in detention.

The Roots of the Conflict: The January 18 Finale

To understand how this legal standoff began, one must appear back to January 18, 2026, at the Moulay Abdellah sports complex in Rabat. The atmosphere during the CAN 2025 final between Morocco and Senegal turned volatile following a penalty awarded to the Moroccan national team.

The decision sparked immediate chaos. According to court records, several supporters stormed the pitch, launched projectiles, and clashed with security forces. The resulting violence left security agents injured and caused significant material damage to the venue. Moroccan authorities subsequently arrested a group of individuals for “hooliganism,” including the 18 Senegalese nationals currently fighting their convictions.

Breaking Down the Sentences

The initial rulings handed down by the Rabat Court of First Instance on February 19, 2026, were severe. While the prosecution had requested up to two years of prison for each defendant, the court settled on sentences ranging from three months to one year of firm imprisonment, coupled with financial penalties.

The convictions were split into three tiers of severity:

• Nine supporters: Sentenced to one year in prison and a fine of 5,000 dirhams (approximately 460 euros).
• Six supporters: Sentenced to six months in prison and a fine of 2,000 dirhams (approximately 180 euros).
• Three supporters: Sentenced to three months in prison and a fine of 1,000 dirhams (approximately 90 euros).

The crackdown extended beyond the Senegalese group. A French citizen of Algerian origin was also sentenced to three months in prison and fined 1,000 dirhams after being found guilty of throwing a water bottle during the match.

Legal Defense and CAF’s Neutrality

The defense has remained steadfast in its claim that the convictions are unjust. Patrick Kabou, a Senegalese lawyer registered with the bar in Gers, France, described the rulings as “incomprehensible.” Kabou has argued that his clients are being used as “scapegoats” for the broader unrest that occurred at the stadium.

While the defense attempted to bring the governing body of African football into the conversation, CAF has maintained a strict distance. Patrice Motsepe has explicitly stated that CAF will not intervene in the arrest and prosecution of the Senegalese fans, treating the matter as a legal issue for the Moroccan judicial system to resolve.

For those following the case, the central tension remains the gap between the judicial findings of “hooliganism” and the defense’s narrative of unfair targeting. The continued detention of the 18 men since January adds a layer of urgency to the pending appeal date.

Key Case Details

The next confirmed checkpoint in this case is the announcement of a new date for the appeal hearing by the Rabat Court of Appeal. Until then, the 18 supporters remain in Moroccan custody.

Do you think sporting governing bodies like CAF should intervene in legal matters involving fans, or should these cases remain strictly within national jurisdictions? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Sources for verification:
Rabat Court of Appeal Report | RMC Sport Conviction Details