In a significant and heartwarming development, a group of Senegalese football fans who were incarcerated following the tumultuous Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco in January have returned to their homeland. This return was made possible after King Mohammed VI of Morocco granted them a pardon on humanitarian grounds, coinciding with the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, as announced by Morocco's royal court.
Upon their arrival at the airport near Dakar just after 1:00 am, the jubilant supporters were warmly welcomed by Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who expressed his elation at their return. Faye, dressed in a tracksuit for the occasion, conveyed his gratitude to the Moroccan authorities for their decision to pardon the fans. However, in a statement that may be perceived as provocative by Moroccan officials, he referred to Senegal as "two-time African champions," despite the ongoing dispute regarding the final match that is currently before the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.
The final, held on January 18, saw Senegal claim victory against Morocco, but the match was later controversially awarded to Morocco following an appeal. The game had reached a tense moment when it was tied at 0-0, and a penalty was awarded to Morocco during stoppage time after a Senegal goal was disallowed. This led to chaos as Senegalese fans attempted to rush the pitch and threw projectiles, resulting in the match being paused for nearly 20 minutes. When play resumed, the Senegalese supporters celebrated as Morocco failed to convert the penalty and their team ultimately clinched a dramatic victory with a goal in the 94th minute.
In February, Moroccan courts sentenced 18 Senegalese fans to prison terms ranging from three months to one year for their involvement in the incidents of hooliganism that marred the match. Following the completion of their sentences, three fans were released in mid-April, while the remaining 15 continued to serve their terms. The unrest has somewhat strained the historically cordial relations between Morocco and Senegal, nations known for their cooperation in various sectors such as tourism and energy, as well as their strong cultural and religious connections.
In light of the longstanding fraternal ties between the two nations, King Mohammed VI decided to issue a royal pardon for the fans, which was met with appreciation from President Faye, who celebrated their freedom on social media. He highlighted the significance of this humanitarian gesture, which allowed these individuals to reunite with their families. The Moroccan public prosecutor's office noted that the charges against the fans were substantiated by surveillance footage from the stadium and medical reports concerning injured law enforcement personnel. The estimated material damage resulting from the incidents exceeded 370,000 euros (approximately $430,000).
In the aftermath of the final, the Confederation of African Football also imposed disciplinary measures on both national football federations for unsporting conduct and violations of fair play principles. Following an administrative ruling on March 17 that awarded the title to Morocco, Senegal opted to appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Despite this contentious situation, the enduring friendship between Morocco and Senegal remains a crucial aspect of their bilateral relations.
As reported by bssnews.net.
