By Ayomide Otitoju
Moroccan prosecutors on Thursday demanded jail terms of up to two years for 18 Senegalese football fans detained in Rabat following last month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, AFP reported.
The prosecution accused the fans of “hooliganism,” saying they “deliberately sought to disrupt the proper conduct of the match” and committed acts of violence broadcast live on television. The defendants have denied any wrongdoing.
The Senegalese supporters have been held in pre-trial detention since January 18, the day Morocco lost 1-0 to Senegal in the AFCON final at home. Minutes before the match ended, some fans attempted a pitch invasion, prompting Senegalese players to halt the game for nearly 20 minutes in protest of a late penalty awarded to Morocco. Objects, including a chair, were reportedly thrown onto the field.
Authorities said evidence against the group includes stadium surveillance footage and medical reports documenting injuries to security personnel and stewards. Damage to the stadium was estimated at over 4 million Moroccan dirhams ($430,000).
Morocco is scheduled to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
