Anger grows in Senegal after Moroccan court jails fans over AFCON 2025 final violence | OneFootball

Court rulings fuel growing tension between the two countries

Anger grows in Senegal after Moroccan court jails fans over AFCON 2025 final violence

Public anger has risen in Senegal after Moroccan courts jailed 18 Senegalese fans over riots linked to the AFCON 2025 final.

Court rulings spark strong reaction

Tension has increased between fans in Senegal & Morocco following court rulings in Rabat that sentenced 18 Senegalese supporters to prison terms ranging from three month to one year.

According to Agence France-Presse, the rulings were issued after violent incidents that followed the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final played at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

The match ended with Senegal winning 1-0 after extra time.

Moroccan prosecutors said the verdicts were based on CCTV footage & medical reports estimating damage inside the stadium at more than €370,000.

Charges and sentences

The court found the supporters guilty of several offenses, including:

The severity of the sentences caused immediate backlash in Senegal where activists described the punishment as harsh and disproportionate to the events.

Calls for boycotts and diplomatic pressure

In response, Senegalese activists launched online campaigns calling for boycott of Moroccan products and services. Some posts also urged pause in cooperation with companies linked to Moroccan investment in Senegal.

Others called on the Senegalese government to step in and seek the release of the jailed fans arguing that the case should be handled with more diplomatic care due to the strong ties between the two countries.

The Senegalese Football Federation appealed for calm while also describing the rulings as “strict”.. The federation asked both sides to protect the long-standing sporting and economic relationship between Senegal and Morocco.

Match events that triggered the crisis

The final itself was full of tension. Senegal had goal ruled out late in the match before Morocco were awarded penalty in stoppage time which was missed.

After normal time, some supporters entered the pitch and threw objects from the stands.

The match was decided in extra time by a goal from Pape Gueye which gave Senegal the title and sparked celebrations mixed with chaos inside and outside the stadium.