RABAT — An appeals court in Rabat on Monday upheld prison sentences ranging from three to 12 months for 18 Senegalese football supporters convicted of hooliganism after a pitch invasion during the Africa Cup of Nations final. Prosecutors had sought stiffer penalties during the appeal, but the court maintained the original sentences handed down by a Moroccan court in February.

The 18 supporters denied any wrongdoing in connection with the pitch invasion. They argued that they had been forced onto the field by a surging crowd and that they entered the pitch to avoid being spat upon and projectiles thrown toward them. The supporters also said they did not invade the pitch to protest a refereeing decision at the end of the final.

Defense lawyer Naima El Guellaf requested during the proceedings that videos of the incidents be shown in court to verify the identities of the 18 supporters. The prosecution rejected the defense request, arguing that the supporters had been caught in the act. The prosecution stated in opposing the motion: "The entire world saw these terrible images live." The judge had not yet responded to the request to replay the videos in court.

Defense lawyer Patrick Kabou challenged the identification of the defendants during the appeal hearing. "There have been mistakes; the people involved in what happened are currently in Senegal and are not present here," Kabou said. Senegal Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko criticized the court's decision to sentence the supporters.

Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations final 1-0 on Jan. 18. The Confederation of African Football reversed Senegal's victory and awarded the title to Morocco two months after the final.