The King of Morocco Mohammed VI on Saturday pardoned, for “human considerations”, the Senegalese supporters imprisoned after the violence that occurred during the CAN-2025 final in Rabat in January.
“Given the centuries-old fraternal relations which link the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Senegal, and on the occasion of the advent of Eid al-Adha”, which will be celebrated on Wednesday in Morocco, the King “was kind enough to grant, for human considerations, his royal pardon to the Senegalese supporters”, indicates a press release from the royal cabinet.
On January 18, during the final of the African Cup of Nations (CAN) in Rabat – which began at the end of December 2025 – Senegal won 1-0 after a chaotic match. Following a penalty awarded to Morocco in added time of the second half, just after a goal denied to Senegal, Senegalese supporters attempted to invade the field and threw projectiles towards the pitch.
In February, Moroccan justice sentenced 18 Senegalese fans who had been detained in Morocco since the final to sentences ranging from three months to one year in prison. In mid-April, three Senegalese were released after serving their three-month sentence. The pardon granted on Saturday should therefore concern the 15 supporters still detained.
“Deep Links”
This decision “testifies to the depth of the deep bonds of friendship, fraternity and cooperation” uniting Morocco and Senegal, the press release continued. Me Patrick Kabou, who defended a large number of Senegalese people, told AFP that the detainees should leave prison in the evening.
The prosecution was mainly based on images from cameras at the Moulay-Abdellah stadium as well as on medical certificates from members of the police and injured stewards, according to the prosecution, which estimated the material damage at more than 370,000 euros.
After the decision of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to award CAN-2025 to Morocco on March 17, Senegal appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
