In a significant legal development following the conclusion of the Africa Cup of Nations, the Moroccan Public Prosecutor's Office, during a hearing held on Thursday, February 19, 2026, requested a two-year prison sentence for 18 Senegalese fans. The defendants appeared before the Rabat Court of First Instance, following their arrest after the riots that marred the final match of the continental tournament on January 18, 2026.
Details of the charges and events at Moulay Abdellah Stadium
The public prosecutor charged the detainees with "sports-related hooliganism," a charge that Moroccan authorities take very seriously as part of their efforts to secure major sporting events. The public prosecutor asserted in his closing arguments that these fans deliberately sought to disrupt the normal course of the final match, committing acts of violence that were captured on camera and broadcast live on television channels covering the event, thus negatively impacting the overall atmosphere of the African football tournament. Despite the defendants' denials of the charges during questioning, the prosecution insisted on prison sentences to deter such behavior.
Legal context and riot control efforts in Morocco
This trial comes as Morocco intensifies its legal and security measures to combat stadium violence. In such cases, the Moroccan judiciary relies on strict legal provisions (Law 09-09) aimed at protecting lives and public and private property during matches. Moroccan authorities believe that the firm application of the law is the only guarantee for the safe conduct of sporting events, especially given the significant investment the Kingdom has made in infrastructure and organization to ensure the success of this continental event.
The importance of the event and its impact on the sports scene
This event has special importance that goes beyond the local dimension, given that Morocco hosted this edition of the Africa Cup of Nations as a real rehearsal and test of its organizational and security capabilities in preparation for larger global events, most notably the 2030 World Cup. Consequently, the firm judicial handling of any security breach sends a reassuring message to international federations (FIFA and CAF) about Morocco's ability to control security in stadiums and deal firmly with any transgressions that may disrupt the sporting competitions.
The aftermath of the incident and media coverage
The hearing garnered extensive media attention, both locally and internationally, given the strong fraternal ties between Morocco and Senegal, and the popularity of both countries' national teams. The sporting public eagerly awaits the final verdict in this case, which will set a legal precedent for how to deal with the misconduct of foreign fans during international tournaments held in Morocco. All eyes remain on the Rabat Court of First Instance, which will determine the fate of the 18 fans in the coming days.
