RABAT / DAKAR — Six weeks after the dramatic climax of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, 18 Senegalese football fans detained in Morocco have begun a hunger strike, protesting what they describe as prolonged detention without formal charges and lack of access to justice.
Background: Chaos at the AFCON Final
On January 18, 2026, Senegal and host nation Morocco faced off in the AFCON final in Rabat, a match that ended in a 1–0 victory for Senegal but was marred by controversy and unrest. Minutes before the end of the game, play was halted for nearly 20 minutes as Senegalese players temporarily walked off the field in protest of a penalty awarded to Morocco. Simultaneously, a group of Senegalese supporters attempted to storm the pitch and threw objects, including a chair, disrupting the game and injuring stadium security staff.
Moroccan authorities responded by arresting 19 people connected to the disturbances, 18 Senegalese nationals and one Algerian fan on suspicion of hooliganism and violent conduct during the event.
Hunger Strike Over Legal Uncertainty
According to the detainees’ lawyer, Patrick Kabou, the group has been held since January 18 without formal charges being clearly communicated to them. They allege they were questioned in French and Arabic, languages many do not understand, as they primarily speak Wolof, leading to serious concerns about basic legal rights and fair process.
In response, the fans began a hunger strike on Friday, February 5, 2026, declaring they will continue “until Moroccan justice gives us a chance to be heard.”
Their lawyer emphasised that the group feels their “right to justice” is being denied, and that they have “been waiting since January 18 to learn the charges against them.”
Court Delays and Legal Gridlock
An initial hearing scheduled in late January was adjourned. A second hearing set for early February was postponed due to a lawyers’ strike in Morocco, affecting courts nationwide. The next session is now expected on February 12, 2026.
Authorities have not publicly detailed the specific legal charges each individual faces, although the arrests follow investigations into acts of violence, vandalism and breach of public order during the final. If convicted under Moroccan law, some defendants could face sentences ranging from months to several years in prison. ([Hespress][6])
The final’s fallout has extended beyond these arrests:
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has imposed financial penalties and suspensions against both Senegal and Morocco’s football federations, coaches, and players for breaches of conduct during the match.
Morocco’s football governing body has also appealed related disciplinary rulings, highlighting ongoing tensions in the wake of the tournament.
Reactions and Diplomatic Sensitivity
In Senegal, families and supporters have expressed deep concern over the continued detention, urging diplomatic channels to intervene for clearer legal processes and humane treatment of the detainees. In Morocco, authorities have maintained that the legal process must take its course, insisting the detentions are tied to verified actions during the match’s disorderly aftermath.
As of this writing, official government statements on the hunger strike have been limited.
What Happens Next:
The legal proceedings are expected to resume in Morocco’s Rabat Criminal Court on February 12, 2026. Human rights observers and football governing bodies are watching closely, as the case raises questions about fair treatment of foreign supporters and the broader handling of sporting event unrest.
