AFCON Detention: The Perennial Playbook of Scapegoating and Selective Justice
THE CLAIM: Moroccan authorities have detained 18 Senegalese nationals since February for alleged involvement in 'acts of violence and vandalism' following an AFCON 2025 preparatory match. Local media and the Moroccan state prosecutor suggest these individuals participated in clashes that resulted in property damage and injuries, with some reportedly facing sentences of 10 to 18 months, one as long
as two years. THE EVIDENCE: The New Arab report states the fans claim they were scapegoated, caught in a broader crowd control operation, and are now on hunger strike demanding a fair trial and translation services for their native Wolof dialect (The New Arab, 2024). This immediately raises red flags. Senegal's foreign ministry has acknowledged the arrests, and diplomatic efforts to secure their
release have been ongoing, suggesting this isn't an open-and-shut case of clear-cut criminality but rather a complex diplomatic incident veiled in legal proceedings. THE CONTRADICTIONS: Morocco, keen on hosting AFCON 2025, has every incentive to project an image of impeccable security and order. Yet, the swift, harsh sentencing and the apparent lack of adequate translation services for foreign
nationals — a fundamental right in international law as enshrined in Article 14 of the ICCPR (UN, 1966) — undermines any claim of a fully transparent and fair process. One might wonder why, if the 'vandalism' was so widespread, only Senegalese fans were singled out for such severe repercussions. This disproportionate response suggests a performance for an international audience, rather than an