Senegalese Supporters Welcome Home After Royal Pardon
In a heartwarming turn of events, fifteen Senegalese supporters, who faced legal repercussions following incidents during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, have returned to Dakar, Senegal after being granted a royal pardon by King Mohammed VI of Morocco. This decision was announced by the Moroccan royal cabinet and is said to stem from the longstanding fraternal ties between Morocco and Senegal, as well as the upcoming celebration of Eid al-Adha.
Upon their arrival at Blaise-Diagne Airport in Diamniadio, the freed supporters were warmly welcomed by Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and officials from the Senegalese Football Federation. This moment marks the end of nearly four months of detention for the supporters. President Faye expressed his joy at their return, emphasizing that, in his view, the Senegalese national team remains the "champions of Africa" for the second time.
The chaotic events leading to their detention occurred during the final match on January 18, 2026, in Rabat, where Senegal triumphed over Morocco with a score of 1-0. The match was marred by controversy, particularly regarding a late penalty awarded to Morocco, shortly after a goal by Senegal was disallowed. The contentious decisions led to uproarious protests from fans, and several players exited the field amidst attempts by supporters to storm it, resulting in altercations with law enforcement.
In February, Moroccan authorities convicted eighteen Senegalese nationals on charges of hooliganism and violence against officials, relying on surveillance footage from the Moulay-Abdellah Stadium and medical reports documenting injuries among security personnel. Sentences ranged from three months to one year in prison, with three individuals released in mid-April after serving their sentences. This incident strained the traditionally strong diplomatic, economic, and religious relations between Morocco and Senegal, prompting concerns voiced by former Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, who lamented the escalation of tensions between the two allied nations during a visit to Morocco in February.
In the realm of sports, the ramifications of this incident were significant. The African Football Confederation (CAF) imposed disciplinary sanctions on both federations due to unsportsmanlike behavior. Subsequently, in March, the CAF's appeals committee controversially stripped Senegal of their title, awarding it to Morocco, a decision that Dakar has contested at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
As reported by fr.africanews.com.
