By our reporter 20.1.2026
Eighteen Senegalese football supporters have been detained by the Moroccan authorities following the fracas in Sunday’s African Cup of Nations final between the Atlas Lions and the Teranga Lions of Senegal.
All hell was let loose after the centre referee disallowed a Senegalese goal and later on awarded an injury time penalty against Senegal. The Senegalese players temporarily abandoned the game but later came to continue and bravely went on to win 1-0 in extra time.
But in between Senegal fans had a running battle with stadium security as they attempted to invade the pitch.
A judicial source, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said the 18 Senegalese fans were placed in custody under instructions from the Rabat prosecutor’s office “to question them about acts of hooliganism committed” inside the stadium. An Algerian fan was also detained on suspicion of “inciting hooliganism.”
Meanwhile Morocco’s General Directorate of National Security denied online claims circulating on Senegalese websites and social media alleging that a Senegalese national was stabbed to death.
In a statement, the police said they had reviewed digital content asserting that a Senegalese citizen died after a knife attack linked to the aftermath of the AFCON final but stressed that thorough investigations found no record of a murder or fatal assault involving a Senegalese victim using the method described in the posts.
However, according to the police a body of unidentified man from West Africa was discovered in the city of Sale, with no sign of violence, except of course dog bites inflicted by stray dogs. The body emitted a strong smell of alcohol, the police said in a statement.