Rabat Court Postpones Appeal Trial for Senegalese AFCON 2025 Supporters

The legal battle surrounding the aftermath of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final took another complicated turn this week. On Monday, April 13, 2026, the Court of Appeal in Rabat decided to postpone the trial of 18 Senegalese supporters who were previously convicted for their alleged roles in violence during the tournament’s championship match.

The decision comes after a contentious hearing where the defense attempted to bring the highest levels of football governance into the courtroom. The legal team for the defendants requested that Patrice Motsepe, the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), appear as a witness. The defense argued that Motsepe’s testimony could provide essential clarity on the organizational and sporting context that surrounded the incidents.

The request was flatly rejected. The public prosecutor opposed the summons, labeling the request “useless” and arguing that the CAF president would bring no new evidence to the case. With the request denied and no further procedural developments, the court pushed the trial to a later date, which has not yet been announced.

The Roots of the Conflict: January 18

To understand the current legal deadlock, one must look back to January 18, 2026. The AFCON final, held at the Moulay Abdellah sports complex in Rabat, Morocco, descended into chaos in the closing stages of the match. The catalyst was a penalty awarded to the Moroccan national team, which sparked immediate volatility in the stands.

Reports from the scene indicate that several supporters stormed the pitch, launched projectiles, and clashed with security forces. The resulting violence left security agents injured and caused significant property damage within the stadium. In the immediate wake of the riot, Moroccan authorities detained several individuals, including the 18 Senegalese nationals currently fighting their convictions.

The legal fallout was swift. On February 19, 2026, the Rabat Court of First Instance found the 18 defendants guilty of hooliganism. They were handed prison sentences ranging from three months to one year, along with various fines. These supporters have remained in detention since January 2026.

A Denied Defense and CAF’s Stance

During the appeal proceedings that opened on April 13, the 18 supporters maintained their innocence, denying any participation in the violence. Their legal strategy has centered on challenging the evidence and seeking outside testimony to contextualize the events.

However, the path to a reduced sentence or acquittal appears steep. Not only did the court reject the call for Patrice Motsepe to testify, but Motsepe himself has signaled a hands-off approach. The CAF president has explicitly stated that the governing body 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.

The Shadow of the Stripped Title

The tension in the courtroom mirrors a larger, ongoing dispute between the Senegalese football federation and CAF. The legal troubles of the fans are compounded by a massive sporting controversy: the loss of the trophy itself.

On March 17, 2026, the CAF appeal board stripped Senegal of their AFCON victory and officially declared Morocco the champion. This decision has sent shockwaves through the sporting world and remains a point of intense friction. The Senegalese national team has already announced its intention to appeal this decision, adding a layer of diplomatic and sporting volatility to the criminal proceedings involving the supporters.

For those following the case, the criminal trial of the fans and the sporting appeal regarding the title are separate legal tracks, though they stem from the same chaotic evening in Rabat.

Key Case Details

As the 18 supporters remain in detention, the international football community continues to watch how Morocco balances the application of its national laws with the diplomatic sensitivities of a major continental tournament. The rejection of the CAF president’s testimony suggests the court is determined to keep the trial focused strictly on the actions of the individuals rather than the organizational failures of the tournament.

The next confirmed step in this saga is the scheduling of the new appeal date by the Rabat Court of Appeal. We will provide updates as soon as the court communicates the next hearing date.

What are your thoughts on the CAF’s refusal to intervene in the fans’ case? Let us know in the comments below.