Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has granted a royal pardon to Senegalese football supporters who were jailed following disturbances around the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Rabat in January 2025. Multiple outlets report that the king’s decision is framed as being made on “humanitarian reasons.” The fans were detained after chaos and violence at the final, in which Senegal played against Morocco. After the incident, Moroccan authorities prosecuted the supporters on hooliganism-related charges. In February, courts sentenced them to prison terms of up to a year, according to reporting by The Independent. Several sources also say the group later returned to Senegal after the pardon. France 24 reports that supporters went back home on May 24 following the royal pardon, while other outlets describe their release and return as part of the humanitarian decision. The accounts consistently link the pardon to the January final incident, the subsequent convictions in February, and the fans’ release and repatriation after the king’s intervention.
Morocco’s king pardons jailed Senegal football fans after AFCON final violence
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has granted a royal pardon to Senegalese football supporters who were jailed following disturbances around the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Rabat in January 2025....
- Morocco’s King Mohammed VI pardons Senegalese football supporters jailed after violence at the AFCON final in Rabat in January 2025.
- The pardon is issued on “humanitarian reasons,” according to court or royal statements cited by outlets.
- Moroccan courts sentenced the fans in February to prison terms of up to a year for hooliganism-related charges.
- The supporters return home to Senegal after the royal pardon, with reporting that the group leaves Morocco around May 24.
- Reporting across outlets attributes the jailings to disturbances involving fans after the final between Senegal and Morocco.
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 on May 24 after being pardoned by the Moroccan king. In February, Moroccan courts had sentenced them for hooliganism following the controversial AFCON final which opposed Senegal to Morocco. FRANCE 24's Caitlin Kelly tells us more.
3 months agoSenegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye thanked King Mohammed VI for his “clemency and humanity”.
3 months agoA 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.
3 months agoFans arrested in Morocco in the aftermath of AFCON 2025 final were returned on humanitarian pardon by the Moroccan king.
3 months agoMorocco’s king has granted an official pardon to Senegalese soccer fans jailed over hooliganism during the Africa Cup of Nations final
3 months ago
Xabi Alonso demands Chelsea squad members show a desire to play amid Enzo Fernandez speculation
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso says he wants players who show a “desire to play” as speculation grows over Enzo Fernandez’s...
Crystal Palace host Manchester City in opening-season Premier League fixture
Manchester City travel to Crystal Palace for a Premier League match at Selhurst Park on Friday, looking to build on stro...
Colts activate receiver Alec Pierce after ankle surgery, returning from PUP list
The Indianapolis Colts activate wide receiver Alec Pierce from the physically unable to perform list after he undergoes...