Senegal lifted the AFCON title, but a penalty for hosts Morocco led to disruption on and off the field, with arrests made.
Eighteen Senegalese football fans detained in Morocco for allegedly committing “hooliganism” during last month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final have started a hunger strike as they await their trial.
Lawyer Patrick Kabou said his clients told him they have been “waiting to learn the charges against them since January 18”, the day they were arrested after a heated AFCON final in Rabat, where Senegal beat Morocco.
Kabou told AFP the group complained police questioned them in French and Arabic, though they “only speak Wolof.”
Minutes before last month’s match ended, Senegalese supporters attempted to storm the pitch in protest, halting the game for nearly 20 minutes after a late penalty was awarded to Morocco.
Other fans threw objects onto the field, including a chair.
The group said they were denied their “right to justice” and vowed to continue their strike “until Moroccan justice hears us,” Kabou said.
A first court hearing in late January was adjourned by the judge, and the second hearing on Thursday was also postponed amid an ongoing lawyers’ strike in Morocco.
