Senegalese supporters released and welcomed home after Moroccan pardon
Senegalese supporters arriving at Ndiass International Airport on Sunday morning following their release.
Historic return after royal clemency
Fifteen Senegalese supporters, previously imprisoned in Morocco after disturbances during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) final in Rabat, have returned to Senegal after receiving a royal pardon from King Mohammed VI. Their release was granted ahead of Eid al-Adha, marking a gesture of goodwill between the two nations.
The supporters were handed down sentences ranging from three months to one year in prison in February for hooliganism and violence against law enforcement during post-match unrest. Earlier in April, three had already been freed after completing their sentences, while the remaining fifteen were pardoned on Saturday.
A warm welcome in Dakar
The group arrived in the early hours of Sunday at the Blaise Diagne International Airport in Diamniadio, near Dakar, where they were greeted by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and officials from the Senegalese Football Federation. Addressing the media, the president expressed his joy: “We are overjoyed to have them back on home soil.”
President Faye, dressed in sportswear, also reaffirmed Senegal’s status as African champions—a title currently under review by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS)—and extended gratitude to Moroccan authorities for the pardon granted during the upcoming celebration of Tabaski.
Football’s unifying power celebrated
Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), praised the king’s decision, calling it a “remarkable example of how football can unite and inspire people across Africa and beyond.”
From chaos to clemency: a timeline
The unrest erupted on January 18 during the high-stakes final between Senegal and Morocco, which ended 1-0 in favor of the Lions of Teranga. Controversy followed a last-minute penalty awarded to Morocco—despite an earlier disallowed Senegalese goal—sparking outrage among players and supporters alike. This led to chaotic scenes on the pitch and in the stands, culminating in the arrests of several Senegalese fans.
Following their return, the supporters were met with national pride and solidarity, underscoring the strong diplomatic and sporting ties between Senegal and Morocco.