Eighteen Senegalese football supporters detained in Morocco since January 18, 2026, have launched a hunger strike to protest their prolonged detention without formal charges, their lawyer announced on Friday, February 6, 2026.
The group was arrested in Rabat following chaotic scenes during and after the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 final between Senegal and hosts Morocco. Senegal emerged victorious in a tense match that ended in dramatic fashion, but the closing stages were overshadowed by crowd trouble and a dramatic on-pitch protest by Senegalese players.
According to their lawyer, Patrick Kabou, the detained fans have declared they will continue refusing food “until Moroccan justice gives us the chance to be heard.” Kabou told journalists that his clients feel they are being denied their “right to justice” due to repeated delays in their case and the conditions of their detention.
The lawyer also raised concerns about language barriers during police questioning. He said the suspects, who primarily speak Wolof (Senegal’s most widely spoken language), were interrogated in French and Arabic—languages many of them do not understand. “They were questioned without proper interpretation,” Kabou stated, describing the situation as a violation of fair trial standards.
The arrests took place in the aftermath of the final held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on January 18. With minutes remaining and Morocco trailing, referee decisions—including a controversial late penalty awarded to the hosts—sparked outrage among Senegalese supporters. Several fans attempted to storm the pitch, while Senegal’s players briefly walked off in protest, halting play for nearly 20 minutes. Objects, including a chair, were thrown onto the field, contributing to heightened tensions.
Moroccan authorities swiftly detained dozens of Senegalese nationals in the stadium vicinity and surrounding areas, accusing them of hooliganism, disturbing public order, and involvement in violent incidents. Eighteen individuals were formally held for trial, while others were reportedly deported or released.
Legal proceedings have been repeatedly stalled. An initial court appearance in late January was adjourned, and a second hearing scheduled for Thursday, February 5, was postponed due to an ongoing nationwide strike by Moroccan lawyers protesting judicial reforms and working conditions. The trial is now expected to resume next week, though no firm date has been confirmed.
The hunger strike has drawn attention from Senegalese authorities and diaspora groups. Senegal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been in contact with Moroccan counterparts, urging respect for due process and humane treatment of the detainees. Senegalese football authorities and fans have also called for swift resolution, expressing solidarity with the group while condemning any violence that may have occurred.
Human rights organizations monitoring the case have expressed concern over the length of pre-trial detention and the reported lack of adequate interpretation services. Morocco, as host of the AFCON final, has faced criticism in some quarters for its handling of the post-match fallout, though officials maintain that the arrests were necessary to restore order and hold accountable those responsible for the disturbances.
The incident has reignited debate about crowd management at major African football tournaments and the challenges of policing passionate, cross-border supporter groups. AFCON 2025, hosted across multiple North African venues, was largely praised for its organization but ended on a sour note due to the final’s controversies.
As the hunger strike continues, pressure is mounting on Moroccan judicial authorities to expedite proceedings. Lawyer Patrick Kabou has vowed to pursue every legal avenue to secure his clients’ right to a prompt and fair hearing. For now, the eighteen detainees remain in custody, using the only means available to them—refusal of food—to demand justice and resolution.
The case underscores the delicate balance between maintaining public order and upholding the rights of foreign nationals in host countries during high-stakes international sporting events.
