Moroccan police arrested 18 Senegalese supporters and one Algerian fan following a catastrophic and shocking breakdown of sportsmanship that transformed Sunday’s AFCON 2025 final into an international disgrace, according to AFP sources.
The 18 Senegalese nationals were placed in custody on orders from the Rabat First Instance Court prosecutor “to be questioned about acts of hooliganism committed” inside the stadium, a judicial source confirmed Monday. The Algerian supporter faces charges of “inciting hooliganism.”
The mayhem erupted minutes before full-time in the match Senegal won 1-0 through Pape Gueye’s goal. What was meant to be African football’s crowning moment devolved into unruly scenes when Senegalese coach Pape Thiaw orchestrated an unprecedented act of sporting sabotage.
Despite the penalty being deemed lawful and correct by all experts, Thiaw brazenly led his players off the field in a calculated act of defiance that would unleash chaos upon Morocco’s world-renowned tournament. As Brahim Díaz readied himself for the spot-kick, Senegal’s bench joined the walkout.
The depravity reached its nadir when a Moroccan steward was evacuated on a stretcher, his jaw torn off after being struck with a ventilator by these rampaging zealots.
