Court Upholds Prison Sentences for Senegalese Fans Following AFCON 2025 Final Riots

Rabat Appeal Court Confirms Sentences for 'Final Incidents'

The Rabat Court of Appeal has officially upheld the initial sentences for 18 Senegalese fans involved in the riots that marred the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

Breakdown of the Sentences

The judicial body confirmed the following penalties:

• 9 fans: Sentenced to 1 year in prison and a 5,000 DH fine.
• 6 fans: Sentenced to 6 months in prison and a 2,000 DH fine.
• 3 fans: Sentenced to 3 months in prison (set for release this Saturday).

Defense vs Prosecution: Wolof Testimony

During the session, the defendants—testifying in Wolof—denied intentional rioting, claiming they entered the pitch to escape a dangerous crush in the stands. However, the prosecution argued that the live broadcast footage provided undeniable evidence of flagrante delicto.

FotScore Technical View: The 'Administrative' Title

While the match ended 1-0 for Senegal on the pitch, CAF later awarded Morocco a 3-0 administrative win due to the riot and Senegal’s temporary withdrawal from the pitch. This legal ruling adds another layer to the ongoing dispute currently before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).