Senegal’s Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, on Tuesday condemned a Moroccan court’s sentencing of 18 Senegalese football fans over a pitch invasion during last month’s Africa Cup of Nations final.
The supporters were detained in Morocco after the January 18 match, accused of violence against security personnel and causing property damage. On Thursday, a court sentenced them to prison terms ranging from three months to one year and imposed fines of up to $545.
“It seems this matter goes beyond the realm of sport, and that is regrettable,” Sonko told parliament. “For two countries that call each other friends, like Morocco and Senegal, things should not have gone this far.”
He added that Morocco’s handling of the case “does not honour” the bilateral relations between the two nations, noting that Senegal had taken all possible measures to secure the fans’ release.
Sonko also said Senegal could, if necessary, invoke a bilateral agreement on the mutual transfer of convicts.
The pitch invasion followed Senegal’s 1–0 victory in Rabat, a chaotic match during which supporters attempted to storm the field and threw objects.
AFP
