The fans were originally sentenced in February to terms ranging from three to 12 months following the chaotic final on January 18, where Senegal defeated hosts Morocco 1–0. However, the prosecution is now pushing for the maximum penalty, citing "hooliganism" and "deliberate disruption" of the match.
The Defense: "We Ran to Save Our Lives"
Inside the Rabat Court of Appeal, the atmosphere was tense as the defendants, speaking through Wolof interpreters, shared a harrowing account of the events. Their legal team, led by Naïma El Guellaf and Patrick Kabou, argued that their clients were not aggressors but victims of a dangerous environment.
The defense maintains that the fans entered the pitch to:
* Escape a Crowd Surge: The supporters claim they were being crushed by a massive influx of people in the stands.
* Avoid Projectiles: Defense lawyers stated the fans were fleeing "objects being thrown and being spat on" by others in the stadium.
"They went down to escape a general panic," the defense argued, insisting there was no violent intent or plan to protest refereeing decisions.
The Battle Over Video Evidence
A critical moment in the hearing occurred when lawyer Naïma El Guellaf requested that the court replay the stadium’s surveillance footage. The defense believes the video will prove that the 18 men currently in custody are not the ones who committed the alleged acts of violence.
"There have been mistakes; the people actually involved in the violence are currently in Senegal and are not present here," lawyer Patrick Kabou told the court.
The prosecution, however, has rejected the request to review the footage, arguing that the fans were "caught in the act" and that the "entire world saw the images live." The judge has yet to rule on whether the videos will be re-examined.
A Final Marred by Controversy
The judicial battle is just one layer of a complex diplomatic and sporting crisis. While Senegal won the match 1–0 on the pitch, CAF recently reversed the result, awarding the title to Morocco due to the crowd disturbances—a decision the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) is currently appealing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Moroccan authorities estimate that the stadium suffered over $430,000 in damages during the unrest, which saw chairs thrown and clashes between supporters and security forces.
What’s Next?
As the 18 fans remain in a Moroccan prison, the football world awaits the court's final decision on the sentencing. If the prosecution’s request is granted, the fans could remain behind bars until 2028, a move the Senegalese Federation has already labeled as "incomprehensibly harsh."
Do you think the fans are being treated fairly, or is the 2-year demand disproportionate? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.