Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1400 EAT on Wednesday 25 February 2026

Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has echoed his country’s football federation in denouncing Morocco’s detention of 18 Senegalese supporters following January’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Rabat.

The fans of the Senegal national football team were arrested in the Moroccan capital during the final, which was controversially halted after Senegal’s players left the pitch in protest against a late penalty awarded to the hosts.

Fans, in response, attempted to enter the field of play during the January 19 match, prompting the arrest of 18 individuals who were later charged with hooliganism and violence against security officials.

Last Thursday, the group was handed prison sentences ranging from three months to one year, along with fines of up to 5,000 dirhams (about $545).

“It seems this matter goes beyond the realm of sport, and that is regrettable,” Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko told the Senegalese parliament on Tuesday. “For two countries that consider themselves friends, like Morocco and Senegal, matters should not have escalated this far.”

The 18 fans have denied any wrongdoing but have not filed appeals against the sentences. Senegal, however, plans to seek a royal pardon from Mohammed VI.
“If they do not, we have agreements that bind us and allow us to request that the supporters serve their sentences in their own country,” Sonko added.

The Senegal Football Federation had immediately criticised the rulings, describing the punishments as “incomprehensibly harsh.”

“Clashes occur in numerous stadiums around the world, including every weekend in Morocco, without resulting in such sanctions,” said Bacary Cisse, president of the federation’s communications committee.

Defence counsel for the 18 supporters, Patrick Kabou, said on February 6 that the group was still “waiting to learn the charges.”

He added that some of the detainees had launched a hunger strike to protest their detention and treatment.

Following the sentencing, Kabou reiterated that the penalties were “incomprehensible,” insisting his clients were “victims.”

Senegal ultimately won the final after play resumed following the players’ protest, edging the hosts 1–0 in extra time.

Source: Aljazeera

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