Rabat: 18 Senegalese Supporters Fall Victim to Arbitrary Justice Without Evidence

The trial of the 18 Senegalese supporters in Rabat concluded with a day as lengthy as it was disturbing. This Monday evening, in a courtroom where the air seemed thick with injustice, the judge delivered the verdict. Against all expectations, he confirmed the sentences handed down in the first instance, thus sealing the fate of these supporters, some of whom will regain their freedom as early as April 18th. A decision that echoes like thunder in the silence of trampled procedures. Yet the Senegalese defense had presented solid arguments, highlighting what they describe as 'questions of nullity.' Procedural irregularities, missing evidence, questionable respect for the Moroccan penal code – all elements that should have weighed in the scales of justice. But the scales seem to have tipped to one side only, that of a decision reeking of arbitrariness. This case transcends the mere sporting framework. It touches the very essence of what it means to be treated fairly before the law. Our supporters, those passionate ambassadors of Senegalese culture across the world, find themselves caught in the web of a judicial system that seems to operate at two speeds. Their only crime? Supporting their team with the fervor that characterizes our people. While some will soon regain their freedom, this decision leaves a bitter taste. It raises questions not only about the treatment of our compatriots abroad but also about the values of justice that must transcend borders. In Senegal, we believe in fair justice – a conviction that seems to have been undermined in the corridors of the Rabat court. This case will serve as a painful reminder: even in the sporting arena, fundamental rights must never be sacrificed on the altar of hasty decisions. Our supporters deserve better, and our community will continue to follow this case with the attention it deserves, demanding transparency and fairness at every step.