Three Senegal fans imprisoned in Morocco over chaos during AFCON 2025 final freed after completing jail terms

Three Senegal fans imprisoned in Morocco over chaos during AFCON 2025 final freed after completing jail terms

Three Senegal fans imprisoned in Morocco over chaos during AFCON 2025 final freed after completing jail terms

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They were sentenced in February alongside 15 other fans and handed prison terms ranging from three months to one year following violent scenes at the AFCON final, including attempting a pitch invasion and deliberately disrupting the match’s proceedings

Three of the 18 Senegalese football fans who were imprisoned in Morocco following chaotic scenes linked to the disputed Africa Cup of Nations Final (AFCON) 2025 final have been released after completing their prison sentences.
The trio, who were freed on Saturday after finishing their three-month sentences, were received by Senegalese officials in Morocco ahead of their return home.
They were sentenced in February alongside 15 other fans and handed prison terms ranging from three months to one year following violent scenes at the AFCON final, including attempting a pitch invasion and deliberately disrupting the match’s proceedings.

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“I inform you of the effective release of three of the 18 compatriots detained in Morocco,” Senegalese defence lawyer Patrick Kabou said on X, confirming the development.
The releases mark the latest development in a controversy that has continued to overshadow the 2025 AFCON final, which was marred by violent scenes and subsequent disciplinary and legal action.
Senegal has since taken the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturned their 1–0 victory in Rabat, escalating a dispute that remains unresolved at the highest level of football governance.

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CAS has confirmed receipt of the appeal, which challenges both CAF and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation over CAF’s March 17 ruling to overturn the result, stripping Senegal of the title and awarding it to Morocco.
In its appeal, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) is asking for the CAF ruling to be overturned and for Senegal to be officially recognised as the tournament winners. Senegal also requested a suspension of the deadline for submitting its full appeal until CAF provides a complete explanation for its ruling.
A panel of arbitrators is expected to be appointed to hear the case, after which a procedural timetable will be established. Under standard regulations, Senegal will be given 20 days to submit its detailed written submission, followed by a further 20 days for the respondents to file their replies.
While the timetable is set under standard rules, CAS cautioned that it is too early to predict how long the process will take or when a hearing will be scheduled.
“At this early stage of proceedings and considering the FSF request to suspend deadlines, it is not possible to anticipate a procedural timeline and to indicate when a hearing will be scheduled,” CAS said last month.

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