King Mohammed VI of Morocco Shows Mercy to Jailed Senegal Football Fans

In a demonstration of goodwill, Morocco's King Mohammed VI has decided to pardon the Senegalese football supporters who were imprisoned following the violent clashes that occurred during the 2025 AFCON final in Rabat. This decision, which was made for 'humanitarian reasons', is a significant gesture considering the long-standing friendship between Morocco and Senegal, especially as the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha approaches. According to a statement from the royal court released on Saturday, May 23, the pardon will apply to 15 Senegalese supporters who were still in prison after the disturbances that marred the Africa Cup of Nations final on January 18 at Rabat's Moulay Abdellah Stadium. The final match between Senegal and Morocco was marked by controversy, with Senegal initially winning 1-0, only for the result to be later overturned on appeal and awarded to Morocco. Tensions rose towards the end of the match after Morocco was awarded a stoppage-time penalty, shortly after a Senegal goal was disallowed, leading to attempted pitch invasions by Senegalese supporters and clashes with security forces and stewards. In February, Moroccan courts handed down prison sentences ranging from three months to one year to 18 Senegalese fans arrested after the disturbances. By mid-April, three supporters had been released after completing their three-month sentences, leaving 15 supporters to continue serving their terms before the royal pardon. The lawyer representing several of the detained supporters, Patrick Kabou, indicated that the group was expected to be released late on Saturday. Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye expressed his gratitude to King Mohammed VI for the decision, describing it as 'imbued with clemency and humanity', and welcomed the news that the detained supporters would soon be reunited with their loved ones. The charges against the supporters were largely based on stadium surveillance footage, medical reports concerning injured law enforcement officers and stewards, and evidence of property destruction, with authorities estimating the material damage caused during the unrest at more than €370,000. The Confederation of African Football had previously sanctioned both national football federations over unsporting conduct and breaches of fair play regulations linked to the final, and later awarded the 2025 AFCON title to Morocco through an administrative ruling on March 17, a decision that Senegal appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The close diplomatic and cultural ties between Morocco and Senegal, with cooperation in sectors such as tourism and energy, and the significant Senegalese community residing in Morocco, underpin the humanitarian gesture made by King Mohammed VI.