A Moroccan court has sentenced 19 soccer fans to prison terms of up to one year for hooliganism during the Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal. The match, held last month, descended into chaos when supporters attempted to storm the pitch after a late penalty was awarded to the host nation.
The defendants, 18 Senegalese nationals and one French national, were found guilty of charges including damaging sporting facilities and committing violence during a sporting event. Eleven received one-year sentences and fines of $550, four were sentenced to six months with $218 fines, and four received three months with $130 fines.
During the hearing, one defendant fainted upon hearing the verdict, while others refused to leave the defendants' bench. Family members protested their innocence, and lawyers announced plans to appeal the sentences, which they described as severe.
The public prosecutor had sought maximum penalties, arguing the fans disrupted the match's orderly conduct and caused damage estimated at over $476,719. The case is unusual as it involved only foreign nationals, though Morocco has a history of soccer-related hooliganism.
The Africa Cup final saw Senegal win 1-0 after Morocco was awarded a controversial stoppage-time penalty. Senegalese players walked off the pitch in protest, and fans threw chairs and clashed with stewards. The Confederation of African Football later fined both nations $1 million and imposed bans, which Morocco plans to appeal.
