Abdoulaye Fall, president of the Senegalese Football Federation, has criticised the prosecution of 18 Senegalese supporters in Morocco, warning that taking sporting disputes to court could set a “dangerous precedent.”
Gatekeepers News reports that Moroccan courts sentenced the fans to prison terms ranging from three months to one year for misconduct and rioting during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final.
“We must take a step back to find solutions to this situation,” Fall said in an interview with the Senegalese News Agency.
“It is a painful situation that affects everyone. I believe that sporting disputes should be resolved within sporting bodies,” he added.
“I am against taking sporting disputes to court; this sets a dangerous precedent.”
The supporters, popularly known as fans of the Senegal national football team, were arrested in Rabat during the controversial final on January 19 after attempting to enter the pitch.
The match had been suspended after Senegal players walked off in protest over a late penalty awarded to host nation Morocco.
Following the unrest, 18 fans were charged with hooliganism and violence against security officials. In February, Moroccan courts handed them prison sentences alongside fines of up to 5,000 dirhams (about $545).
The fallout from the disrupted final has since escalated into a wider legal dispute. Senegal is preparing to challenge a decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory by default.
The ruling sparked outrage from Senegalese authorities, who argue that security concerns forced their team’s withdrawal and should have been considered.
An initial appeal to the CAF Appeals Committee was unsuccessful, as the body upheld the decision, stating that Senegal voluntarily withdrew from the match. However, it did not address issues related to the title, medals, or prize money.
CAF has also yet to officially declare Morocco champions, leaving uncertainty over the tournament’s outcome.
Senegal has now taken steps to escalate the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, seeking a review or reversal of CAF’s ruling.
According to reports, the Senegalese Football Federation is finalising its submission, arguing that the team’s withdrawal was due to “force majeure” circumstances.
CAS Director General Mathieu Reeb said the tribunal is aware of the urgency surrounding the case.
“We are aware that the teams and fans wish to know the final decision as soon as possible, and we will ensure that the arbitration proceedings are conducted promptly, whilst respecting the right of all parties to a fair hearing,” he said.
With the appeal set to proceed, the dispute over the 2025 AFCON final has entered a decisive phase, with Morocco standing by CAF’s ruling and Senegal seeking redress through international arbitration.
