Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, has granted royal pardon to the Senegalese football supporters jailed following violence at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Rabat for “humanitarian reasons”, as confirmed by a royal court statement.
It said, in view “of the age-old fraternal ties” between Senegal and Morocco “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”.
In the North African country, the Muslim holiday will be celebrated on Wednesday.
Moroccan courts, in February, sentenced eighteen (18) supporters of Senegal apprehended in Morocco since the final to prison terms ranging from three (3) months to a year.
Three (3) of the supporters were freed in mid-April following the successful completion of their three-month sentence. After the release, another fifteen (15) Senegalese fans were left incarcerated after bagging sentences ranging from six months to one year.
The royal pardon will apply to those fifteen (15).
Following the royal pardon, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), expressed gratitude to the Moroccan King.
According to CAF Media: “The President of the CAF expresses his gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI for granting Royal Pardon to the Senegalese supporters convicted following the final of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025”.
Speaking to AFP, Lawyer Patrick Kabou, representing a large number of Senegalese, revealed, the jailed supporters were expected to be freed late Saturday.
Public Prosecutor’s Office said, the charges were based largely on footage from Cameras at Rabat’s Moulay Abdellah Stadium, as well as, on medical certificates for law enforcement officers and stewards who were injured.
The eighteen (18) were jailed after they invaded the pitch following a penalty awarded Morocco in additional time of the final on 18 January, 2026.
The showdown halted for more than ten (10) minutes as the Senegal players and staff left the field in protest at the decision. When play restarted, Morocco lost the penalty and the Lions of Teranga went ahead to emerge winners of the tournament.
But, on 17 March, 2026, CAF overturned the decision and awarded the game as a 3-0 victory to Morocco, host nation of the tournament.
Photo: Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou reacts as supporters invade the pitch after Morocco were awarded a penalty against Senegal in the AFCON final following a VAR review | Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters
