Waving flags and hoisting placards, the crowd marched through the capital city of Senegal, chanting “Free the hostages”, according to AFP journalists at the scene. The protest was organised in response to prison terms handed down by a Moroccan court earlier this month.

Senegalese protesters

The 18 fans were convicted of hooliganism on February 19 and received sentences ranging from three months to one year behind bars.

Trouble flared late in the final when Morocco were awarded a penalty. A section of Senegal supporters clashed with security personnel in an attempt to reach the pitch.

Nine of those involved were each jailed for a year and fined 460 euros, about 544 dollars.

Gkingmusik reports that Senegal’s Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, told parliament the punishment was excessive. Morocco’s handling of the matter, he said, “does not honour” relations between the two nations.

Sonko added that Senegal was doing “everything it had to do” to secure the release of its 18 nationals.

On the field, Senegal went on to win the AFCON title 1-0 after extra time. Morocco’s Brahim Díaz failed to convert the decisive spot kick in the chaotic final.