Sénégalais graciés by Morocco return home after can 2025 unrest
Senegalese supporters pardoned by Morocco’s king return home after CAN 2025 unrest
A historic act of clemency ahead of Eid al-Adha
Fifteen Senegalese football fans, previously jailed in Morocco following the chaotic scenes during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat, were released on Saturday after receiving a royal pardon from King Mohammed VI. The decision came as a gesture of goodwill, announced in a cabinet statement, citing «deep-rooted fraternal ties between Morocco and Senegal» and the upcoming celebration of Eid al-Adha.
The supporters landed at Blaise Diagne International Airport in Diamniadio, near Dakar, in the early hours of Sunday. Their return marked a significant moment in the Senegal-Morocco football rivalry, which has been overshadowed by legal disputes since the controversial match.
A warm welcome from President Faye
At the airport, the pardoned fans were greeted by Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and officials from the Senegalese Football Federation. Dressed in sportswear, the president addressed the crowd, expressing his «great joy at welcoming them back to national soil» while reaffirming Senegal’s footballing prowess: «The Lions are African champions for the second time, he declared, despite the ongoing legal challenges over the title.
The president also extended his gratitude to Moroccan authorities for the royal pardon, calling it a «timely gesture» coinciding with Eid al-Adha. The African Football Confederation (CAF) president, Patrice Motsepe, hailed the decision as a «remarkable example of how football unites and brings our people together across Africa and beyond».
From three months in prison to freedom
The unrest during the January 18 final—where Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 in a match marred by controversy—led to violent clashes. A disputed penalty decision in stoppage time, followed by a disallowed Senegalese goal, triggered pitch invasions and projectile throwing by supporters.
In February, a Moroccan court sentenced eighteen Senegalese nationals to prison terms ranging from three months to one year for hooliganism, including attacks on law enforcement. By mid-April, three had already served their sentences and been released. The royal pardon on Saturday extended clemency to the remaining fifteen supporters.
The return of these fans closes a chapter marked by tension, legal battles, and ultimately, a display of diplomatic and sporting solidarity.
