CAF's Gratitude to King Mohammed VI
The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, has expressed his heartfelt gratitude to King Mohammed VI of Morocco following the royal decision to grant a pardon to Senegalese fans who had been sentenced for their involvement in disturbances during the Africa Cup of Nations final match, held four months ago. In an official statement released on CAF's website, Motsepe acknowledged the significance of this act of clemency, which reflects the strong ties between Morocco and Senegal.
Motsepe stated, "On behalf of the member associations of CAF, representing 54 African nations, I would like to extend our profound appreciation to His Majesty, King Mohammed VI, for his gracious royal pardon of the Senegalese supporters found guilty of offenses related to the Africa Cup of Nations final match." He emphasized CAF's unwavering commitment to using football as a means to unite people from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds. The actions taken by King Mohammed VI serve as an inspiring example of the power of football to bring nations together, both within Africa and across the globe.
Return of Senegalese Fans Amidst Historic Bonds
Motsepe also shared his admiration for the deep historical connections between the people of Senegal and Morocco, which he observed during a recent visit to both countries. He concluded his remarks by wishing the best of luck to the national teams of Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Cape Verde, and the Democratic Republic of Congo as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup. He expressed his confidence in their ability to represent Africa honorably on the world stage.
On Sunday morning, Senegalese fans who had been imprisoned following the riots during the Africa Cup of Nations final in January returned to the Blaise Diagne Airport in Diass, near Dakar. They were greeted by the President of Senegal, Macky Sall, along with members of the Senegalese Football Federation. The Moroccan royal palace had previously issued a statement explaining that the pardon was granted due to the longstanding brotherly relations between Morocco and Senegal, coinciding with the celebration of Eid al-Adha, which will be observed on Wednesday in Morocco. The statement indicated that the king's decision was made on humanitarian grounds concerning the Senegalese fans who had been convicted of minor offenses during the tournament.
The final match, which took place on January 18, concluded with Senegal winning 1-0 amidst chaotic scenes. Following a penalty awarded to Morocco in stoppage time, and after a Senegalese goal was disallowed, several Senegalese players left the pitch while some fans attempted to storm the stadium. In February, Moroccan authorities sentenced 18 Senegalese individuals to prison terms ranging from three months to one year for their involvement in the disturbances. Three fans were released in mid-April after serving their three-month sentences, and the recent pardon included the remaining 15 supporters.
As reported by aljazeera.net.
