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Sentencing Status of Fans
Progression of the release of 18 incarcerated Senegalese fans
Primary Sources
Senegal football fans return home after royal pardon for Cup of ... - RFI
A group of Senegalese football supporters jailed in Morocco after the Africa Cup of Nations final descended into chaos over controversial calls returned home on Sunday, after being pardoned by the Moroccan king. Issued on: 24/05/2026 - 12:13 2 min Reading time King Mohammed VI granted the 15 men a pardon "on humanitarian grounds" on the occasion of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, Morocco's royal court said Saturday. Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye welcomed the group as they arrived at Dakar's international airport early on Sunday morning. "We're very happy to have them back on Senegalese soil," said Faye, dressed in a Senegal jersey and tracksuit. Thanking Moroccan authorities for the pardon, he pointedly hailed the Senegalese team as "two-time African champions" – even though the side has been stripped of the 2025 Cup of Nations title over the disruption to January's final, a decision Senegal has challenged. Senegal supporters clash with security services after a controversial penalty was awarded to Morocco late on during the Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, on 18 January 2026. © AP - Youssef Loulidi Senegal – who first claimed the all-Africa title in 2021 – won the tumultuous match against Morocco in Rabat, but the trophy was later awarded on appeal to the hosts due to interruptions by Senegal fans and players. With the match tied at 0-0, referees disallowed a Senegal goal and awarded a questionable penalty to Morocco in second-half stoppage time. Angry Senegalese fans threw projectiles and tried to storm the pitch, while their national team left the field in protest, halting play for more than 15 minutes. When they returned, they watched Morocco botch their penalty and went on to score a 94th-minute winner. World Cup 2026: Players who leave pitch or cover mouths to be given red cards Mending 'fraternal ties' Several supporters were arrested in Morocco following the match and in February, Moroccan courts sentenced 18 Senegalese fans to prison terms ranging from three months to a year for hooliganism. Three with the shortest terms were released in mid-April, while the remaining 15 have now been freed thanks to the king's pardon. Morocco's royal court said that the king had pardoned the supporters in view of "age-old fraternal ties" between Morocco and Senegal. President Faye thanked Mohammed VI for a decision "imbued with clemency and humanity". African football boss defends ruling that gave Cup of Nation...
Moroccan King Pardons Jailed Senegal Football Fans
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Moroccan King Pardons Jailed Senegal Football Fans
May 23, 2026 Morocco King Pardons Jailed Senegal Football Fans. Credit: BBC. Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has granted a royal pardon to Senegalese football supporters who were jailed following violence at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Rabat, in a decision described as being taken on humanitarian grounds. A royal court statement on Saturday said the pardon was issued in consideration of the longstanding fraternal relations between Morocco and Senegal, and the occasion of Eid al-Adha. The Muslim holiday will be celebrated on Wednesday in Morocco. The supporters were arrested after incidents at the AFCON final on January 18, which Senegal won 1-0 before the result was later overturned on appeal in favour of hosts Morocco. Senegal supporters clash with security services after a controversial penalty was awarded to Morocco late on during the Africa Cup of Nations final match between Senegal and Morocco, Rabat, Morocco, Jan. 18, 2026. Credit: Daily Sabah. Tensions flared during the match after a late penalty decision for Morocco and a disallowed Senegalese goal, prompting some fans to attempt to storm the pitch and throw objects. Eighteen Senegalese supporters were initially sentenced by Moroccan courts in February to prison terms ranging from three months to one year. Three were later released in April after completing their sentences, while 15 others remained in custody. Those still in detention were expected to benefit from the royal pardon and regain their freedom. Their lawyer, Patrick Kabou, was quoted as saying that arrangements were being made for their release on Saturday evening. Authorities said the convictions were based on stadium surveillance footage and medical reports from injured security personnel and stewards, while damages from the incident were estimated at over 370,000 euros. Senegal has since challenged the administrative ruling that awarded the tournament to Morocco at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Share the Story AFCON ViolenceMohammed VIRoyal Pardon Read more
Senegal football fans home after royal pardon - Yahoo Sports
The supporters arrive back in Senegal after being pardoned by Morocco's king (SEYLLOU) (SEYLLOU/AFP/AFP)A group of Senegalese football supporters jailed following their country's chaotic, violence-plagued Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco in January returned home Sunday after being pardoned by the Moroccan king.King Mohammed VI granted the fans a pardon "on humanitarian grounds" on the occasion of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, Morocco's royal court said Saturday.AdvertisementSenegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye welcomed the jubilant supporters on arrival at the airport outside Dakar just after 1:00 am, an AFP journalist reported."We're very happy to have them back on Senegalese soil," Faye, who donned a tracksuit for the occasion, told journalists.He thanked Moroccan authorities for the pardon -- but in what Morocco will likely perceive as a new dig, hailed the national team as "two-time African champions", even though the January final is the subject of an ongoing dispute before the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.Senegal won the tumultuous continental final against Morocco in Rabat on January 18, but the match was later awarded on appeal to the hosts.AdvertisementWith the match tied at 0-0, after a penalty awarded to Morocco in stoppage time of the second half -- just after a Senegal goal was disallowed -- Senegalese fans tried to storm the pitch and hurled projectiles.The Senegalese team left the pitch in protest at the penalty decision, halting play for nearly 20 minutes.When they returned, they gleefully watched Morocco miss their penalty, and went on to score a 94th-minute winner.In February, Moroccan courts sentenced 18 Senegalese supporters held in Morocco since the final to prison terms ranging from three months to a year for hooliganism.Three were released from jail in mid-April after completing their three-month sentences.AdvertisementFollowing that release, another 15 Senegalese fans remained incarcerated after receiving sentences ranging from six months to one year.The royal pardon applied to those 15.- Mending ties -The episode has strained relations between Morocco and Senegal, countries with a history of friendly ties.But Morocco's royal court said that in view "of the age-old fraternal ties" between the two countries "and on the occasion of the advent of Eid al-Adha", which will be celebrated on Wednesday in Morocco, the king had "granted, on humanitarian grounds, his royal pardon to the Senegalese supporters"...
