Morocco's King Mohammed VI pardons Senegalese football supporters jailed after AFCON final violence
En resumen
- King Mohammed VI of Morocco has pardoned 15 Senegalese football supporters jailed for violence at the 2025 AFCON final in Rabat.
- The pardon, granted on "humanitarian grounds" and for "fraternal ties" between the nations, coincides with the Eid al-Adha holiday.
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Por qué importa
Following violence at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat, 18 Senegalese supporters were jailed in Morocco. The Confederation of African Football later awarded the match as a 3-0 win to Morocco.
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has pardoned the Senegalese football supporters jailed after violence at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Rabat for “humanitarian reasons”, a royal court statement has confirmed.
It 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”, the king has “granted, on humanitarian grounds, his royal pardon to the Senegalese supporters”.
The Muslim holiday will be celebrated on Wednesday in Morocco.
In February, Moroccan courts sentenced 18 Senegalese supporters held in Morocco since the final to prison terms ranging from three months to a year. Three were released from jail in mid-April after completing their three-month sentence. Following that release, another 15 Senegalese fans remained incarcerated after receiving sentences ranging from six months to one year. The royal pardon is expected to apply to those 15.
Lawyer Patrick Kabou, who represented a large number of the Senegalese, told the news agency AFP that they were expected to be released late Saturday.
According to the public prosecutor’s office, the charges were based mainly on footage from cameras at Rabat’s Moulay Abdellah Stadium, and on medical certificates for injured law enforcement officers and stewards. Material damage from the violence was estimated at more than 370,000 euros (approximately $430,000).
The 18 fans were jailed following a pitch invasion that followed the awarding of a penalty to Morocco in injury time of the final on January 18.
The game stopped for 14 minutes while the Senegal players and staff left the field in protest at the decision. When play resumed, Morocco missed the penalty before Senegal sealed a 1-0 win in injury time.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF), the continent’s governing body for football, overturned the decision on March 17, awarding the game as a 3-0 win to Morocco, which saw the North Africans crowned champions.
CAF upheld the appeal by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, saying Senegal had infringed tournament regulations by walking off.
Qué observar
Perspectiva de IA — posibilidades, no hechos
The 15 Senegalese supporters will be released from jail.
Muy probable · En días
Preguntas abiertas
- Will the released supporters face any further repercussions or travel restrictions?
- What specific actions led to the initial charges against the supporters?
- What is the long-term impact of this incident on Morocco-Senegal relations?
