Eighteen Senegalese football supporters, who were convicted for their involvement in a pitch invasion during the Africa Cup of Nations final held in Rabat in January, have rejected the accusations leveled against them.
The group appeared before a Moroccan appeals court, where they maintained their innocence regarding the disturbances that occurred at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
In February, a Moroccan court initially imposed prison sentences on the individuals, ranging from three to twelve months, after finding them guilty of hooliganism.
The convictions stemmed from chaotic scenes during the final match between Senegal and Morocco, which included attempts to enter the playing field amid heightened tensions.
During the recent appeal hearing, the supporters argued that their actions were not intentional misconduct but rather a response to external pressures, such as crowd surges or the need to avoid projectiles and other threats from the stands.
Prosecutors, meanwhile, had called for more severe penalties, though the original terms were upheld in the proceedings. The case continues to attract attention across African football circles.
