The prime minister of Senegal lamented Tuesday the prison term imposed by a Moroccan court on 18 Senegalese football fans who were found guilty of invading the pitch during an international game last month.
Following the January 18 Africa Cup of Nations final, the supporters were arrested in Morocco on charges of causing damage and engaging in violence against security forces.
A judge sentenced them to three months to a year in prison and fined them up to $545 on Thursday.
“It appears that this issue transcends the domain of athletics, which is unfortunate,” Senegal Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko informed lawmakers.
“Things shouldn’t have gotten this bad for two nations that call each other friends, like Morocco and Senegal.”
He claimed that Senegal had done “everything it should” to ensure their release and that Morocco’s treatment of the case “does not honor” the two nations’ relationship.
According to Sonko, Senegal might initiate a bilateral arrangement permitting the exchange of prisoners if needed.
After a wild game in which Senegalese fans attempted to storm the field and hurled objects, Senegal won the CAN final in Rabat 1-0.
