Eighteen Senegalese football supporters arrested in Morocco over alleged hooliganism during last month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final have begun a hunger strike while awaiting trial, their lawyer told Agence France Presse (AFP) on Friday.
The lawyer, Patrick Kabou, said his clients have been in custody since January 18 without being formally informed of the charges against them. They were arrested following a tense AFCON final in Rabat in which Senegal defeated the host nation, Morocco.
According to Kabou, the detained supporters complained that they were questioned by police in French and Arabic, languages they do not understand, insisting that they speak only Wolof, their native tongue.
The arrests followed chaotic scenes toward the end of the match, when some Senegalese fans attempted to storm the pitch. Senegal’s players briefly halted the game—reportedly for nearly 20 minutes—to protest a late penalty awarded to Morocco. Other supporters were also seen throwing objects onto the field, including a chair.
Kabou said the group believes they are being denied their “right to justice” and has vowed to continue the hunger strike “until Moroccan justice gives us the chance to be heard.”
A first court hearing scheduled for late January was adjourned, while a second hearing on Thursday was also postponed due to an ongoing lawyers’ strike in Morocco.
The trial is now expected to resume next week.
