Eighteen Senegalese football fans detained in Morocco for alleged “hooliganism” during last month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final have begun a hunger strike, their lawyer said on Friday, as they await trial.
According to lawyer Patrick Kabou, the group has 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 added that the detained fans have been questioned in French and Arabic, languages they do not speak, as they “only speak Wolof,” their native tongue.
The incident occurred minutes before the end of the match, when some Senegalese supporters attempted to storm the pitch while Senegal’s players halted the game for nearly 20 minutes to protest a late penalty awarded to Morocco. Fans were also seen throwing objects, including a chair, onto the field.
The group has claimed they are being denied their right to justice, pledging to continue the hunger strike “until Moroccan justice gives us the chance to be heard,” Kabou said.
The trial has faced delays: a first court hearing in late January was adjourned, and a second hearing on Thursday was postponed due to an ongoing lawyers’ strike in Morocco. The trial is now scheduled to resume next week.
