AFCON final fallout: Rabat appeal delayed as Senegal fans and Frenchman seek royal pardon | OneFootball

The appeal of 18 Senegalese fans and a Frenchman jailed in Rabat after January’s AFCON final has been pushed back to 30 March, with the defendants also seeking a royal pardon.

On Tuesday night, the Confederation of African Football announced Senegal had been stripped of the African title in favour of Morocco, the tournament hosts.

The French detainee, Lyèce M., 27, a former Parc des Princes steward and brother of a video analyst on Senegal’s staff, was arrested at Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium on 18 January and jailed. He is accused of throwing a water bottle at security from the Senegal FA guests’ area.

Identified via an eyewitness testimony, he received a three-month prison term on 19 February and maintains his innocence. His lawyer, Me Jaouad Benaissi, argues there is no material evidence, noting the stadium’s many cameras have not produced footage of him throwing the bottle.

In recent days he requested a royal pardon, a constitutional prerogative of King Mohammed VI that can be granted at any stage of proceedings.

The 18 supporters have also sought pardons. They were convicted over clashes after Brahim Diaz’s late penalty miss, receiving between three months and one year. Their lawyer, Me Patrick Kabou, did not appeal, unlike the prosecutor and civil parties, and he doubts sentences will rise. Prosecutors assessed damage at more than €370,000.

Source: L'Équipe