A group of Senegalese football fans detained in Morocco after the violent AFCON 2025 final have been pardoned by King Mohammed VI and returned home on June 8. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye welcomed them at the airport and thanked Moroccan authorities. The fans had been sentenced for hooliganism after a match marred by pitch invasions and object-throwing.

May 24, 2026

Sports

Morocco King Pardons 18 Senegalese Football Fans on Humanitarian Grounds

King Mohammed VI of Morocco has pardoned 18 Senegalese football fans jailed after a pitch invasion during the AFCON 2025 final in Rabat, citing humanitarian reasons amid the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha. The fans were imprisoned following a controversial match that saw Senegal win 1-0, but CAF later awarded Morocco the title by default after Senegal left the field in protest. Senegal has appealed the decision to CAS, which may take up to a year to rule.

May 23, 2026