A Moroccan court has handed prison sentences to 19 football supporters over violence that erupted during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal, according to ESPN.

 

 

 

The group comprising 18 Senegalese nationals and one French citizen was convicted on multiple charges, including destruction of sporting facilities and acts of violence during a sporting event.

 

 

 

Following a hearing that lasted more than five hours, the presiding judge sentenced 11 defendants to one year in prison and imposed fines of $550 each. Four others received six-month jail terms with $218 fines, while the remaining four were handed three-month sentences and fined $130, defense lawyer Naima El Guellaf told the Associated Press.

 

 

 

Emotions ran high in court as one defendant fainted after the verdict was read. Several others refused to stand when ordered to move to the holding cells, while relatives maintained their innocence and described the penalties as excessive. Defense attorneys said they would challenge the ruling on appeal.

 

 

The defendants were arrested last month after clashes broke out when angry supporters attempted to invade the pitch to protest a late penalty awarded to host nation Morocco. Senegal went on to win the final 1-0.

 

 

 

Authorities said the unrest disrupted the match and caused significant property damage, estimated at more than $476,000. The public prosecutor had pushed for maximum penalties, arguing that the accused had seriously undermined public order.

 

 

 

The hearing was attended by Senegalese and French diplomats, alongside family members of the defendants. Lawyers argued there was insufficient evidence to support the convictions.

 

 

Morocco has previously dealt with football-related violence, though this case drew particular attention because all those convicted were foreign nationals.

 

 

 

The final itself was overshadowed by controversy after Senegalese players briefly left the pitch in protest of the stoppage-time penalty decision. Some supporters responded by throwing objects onto the field and clashing with stewards before police intervened.

 

 

 

The aftermath prompted officials in both countries to call for calm amid rising tensions online and concerns over inflammatory rhetoric.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) last month imposed $1 million in fines and sanctions on both Senegal and Morocco over the incidents. Moroccan authorities have indicated plans to appeal, describing the punishment as disproportionate.

 

 

 

Despite the tensions, senior officials from both nations have reiterated their commitment to preserving what they described as long-standing diplomatic and economic ties.