Controversial decision in Senegal Morocco can final sparks outrage

The highly anticipated 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final has remained a source of intense debate. The controversial ruling from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeals Jury on March 17, which awarded Morocco a 3-0 technical victory despite Senegal’s 1-0 win on the field, prompted the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) to file an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Adding fuel to the fire is the ongoing legal case involving 18 Senegalese supporters facing hooliganism charges following the chaotic scenes at the final on January 18. Initially sentenced on February 19 to prison terms ranging from three months to one year, the supporters recently faced a retrial in Rabat this week.

During the hearing, details emerged that supporters sentenced to three months could be released as early as this Saturday. The accused maintained their innocence, while prosecutors pushed for harsher penalties, including up to two years in prison, RMC reported. The supporters are charged with assaulting law enforcement, invading the pitch, and throwing objects.

admission of mistakes surfaces in supporter defense

The defense presented a contrasting narrative, arguing that the supporters descended onto the field due to crowd movements or to escape « spitting and object-throwing incidents », rather than to protest a referee’s decision. « Mistakes were made; those responsible for the chaos are in Senegal and not here », pleaded their lawyer, Patrick Kabou, in an AFP statement.

The hearing also featured procedural disputes. The defense sought to have incident videos reviewed to formally identify the accused, a request denied by prosecutors on grounds of clear evidence: « The entire world witnessed these distressing images live ».