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Moroccan authorities have arrested 18 Senegalese fans and one Algerian following violent incidents during Sunday night’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
According to AFP via RMC Sport, the Senegal supporters were taken into custody for questioning over acts of hooliganism inside the stadium, while the Algerian fan is suspected of inciting unrest.
The arrests came after several fans attempted to enter the pitch late in the match. The disruption coincided with Senegal manager Pape Thiaw temporarily pulling his players off the field during stoppage time in protest of a refereeing decision. Thiaw now faces a possible lengthy ban, even though he later apologized, and the Moroccan Football Federation has announced plans to pursue legal action over the incident.
On the field, Senegal secured a 1-0 victory over hosts Morocco, thanks to Pape Gueye’s decisive goal in extra time.
However, the triumph was marred by controversy. A disputed late penalty led Senegal’s players to abandon the pitch in protest, sparking tense scenes around match officials and temporarily halting the game. After a 15-minute delay, play resumed, and Morocco’s Brahim Diaz saw his ‘Panenka’ penalty easily saved by ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, sending the match into extra time.
The AFCON final, intended to be a celebration of African football, was instead overshadowed by fan unrest and on-field controversy, highlighting ongoing tensions in high-stakes matches.
