Eighteen Senegalese football fans detained in Morocco over “hooliganism” during last month’s Africa Cup of Nations final have begun a hunger strike, their lawyer confirmed on Friday.
Lawyer Patrick Kabou said the fans have been “waiting to learn the charges against them since January 18,” the day they were arrested following the heated AFCON final in Rabat where Senegal defeated Morocco. Kabou noted that the detainees are frustrated by the legal process, claiming they have been questioned by police in French and Arabic, while they only speak Wolof, their native language.
The incidents occurred minutes before the end of the final, when some Senegalese supporters attempted to storm the pitch. The game was halted for nearly 20 minutes as Senegal’s players protested a late penalty awarded to Morocco. Some fans were also seen throwing objects, including a chair, onto the field.
Kabou said his clients are striking to demand their “right to justice” and vowed to continue until Moroccan authorities allow them to be heard. The first court hearing in late January was adjourned by a judge, and the second hearing on Thursday was postponed due to an ongoing lawyers’ strike in Morocco.
The trial is now expected to resume next week. The hunger strike highlights growing concerns over procedural fairness and the treatment of foreign nationals in the Moroccan judicial system. Supporters of the fans and human rights observers have called for a transparent and timely process to ensure that the detainees’ rights are respected.
The case has drawn attention across West Africa, with Senegalese authorities and sports organizations monitoring the situation closely. Meanwhile, the detained fans remain committed to their strike, demanding clarity on the charges and a proper opportunity to present their defense.
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