A court in the city of Marrakech has reduced the prison sentences of two Algerians convicted of insulting Morocco’s flag and national currency during the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Court of Appeals lowered one sentence from eight months to five months in prison. The second was reduced from six months to two months.
The incident took place in January during a match between Algeria and Nigeria at the Grand Stadium of Marrakech.
After Nigeria’s 2–0 win, a video circulated on social media showing one of the Algerians tearing up banknotes inside the stadium. Authorities said the act followed earlier scenes in which some Algerian supporters waved banknotes after the final whistle, suggesting the referee had been bribed.
The two hooligans were first arrested in Casablanca before being shipped to Marrakech for trial. One holds dual British and Algerian citizenship, and the other holds French and Algerian citizenship. They were held at the Oudaya prison complex during proceedings.
Under Moroccan law, the intentional destruction of national currency and the insulting of the flag are criminal offences linked to state symbols. The court said the actions amounted to a deliberate provocation and breached conduct rules for international sporting events.
The Confederation of African Football also fined the Algerian Football Federation $50,000 over what it described as offensive and abusive gestures by their supporters who displayed banknotes. Further sanctions were issued for the use of smoke devices and the throwing of objects during the same match.
In a separate case linked to the competition, several Senegalese hooligans were sentenced after they tried to storm the pitch and attacked security personnel during the final in Rabat.
