Senegal fan detentions inflame Morocco and Senegal row over AFCON final | OneFootball

The fate of Senegalese supporters detained in Rabat on violence charges has become a flashpoint between Senegal and Morocco, amid the continuing dispute over January's AFCON final.

According to L'Équipe, FSF president Abdoulaye Fall raised the matter at a Paris press conference on Thursday, as the final’s dispute continues at CAS in Lausanne.

The match on 18 January at Rabat's Moulay Abdellah Stadium ended 1-0 after extra time in Senegal's favour. Eighteen fans are accused of violence, damage and a pitch invasion during chaotic scenes.

On 19 February, a first-instance court imposed prison terms ranging from three months to one year, and prosecutors put material damage at more than 370,000€. Fall alleged diplomatic blackmail by Moroccan authorities against the detainees, who remain in custody awaiting an appeal hearing scheduled for Monday.

In parallel, defence lawyers have applied for a royal pardon, a constitutional prerogative of King Mohammed VI that can be granted at any stage of proceedings.

FSF secretary general Abdoulaye Sow said violence was not solely by Senegalese fans and called the sanctions disproportionate. He argued Moroccan offenders had not faced justice and said the jailed fans looked like hostages in Morocco's effort to reclaim a trophy he says is not theirs.

The Club des avocats au Maroc hit back, ridiculing Fall's language and invoking sporting thuggery on African pitches. It said no one is above the law, citing what it called irrefutable video proof, insisted justice acts independently of football, and warned it may pursue legal action.

Source: L'Équipe