Morocco jailed 17 Senegal fans following fan disturbances at the Africa Cup of Nations final in January. Published On 23 May 202623 May 2026Morocco’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”.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listThe 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. Advertisement The game stopped for 14 minutes …
