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King Mohammed VI of Morocco has pardoned Senegalese football supporters jailed after violence at the 2025 AFCON final in Rabat, citing “humanitarian reasons”, according to a statement from the royal court on Saturday.
The statement said the decision reflected the “age-old fraternal ties” between Morocco and Senegal and coincided with the upcoming Eid al-Adha celebrations in Morocco on Wednesday.
Senegal had initially won the chaotic AFCON final 1-0 on January 18, but organisers later awarded the title to hosts Morocco after an appeal.
Violence erupted after Morocco received a stoppage-time penalty shortly after Senegal had a goal disallowed. Senegalese supporters attempted to invade the pitch and threw objects onto the field.
In February, Moroccan courts sentenced 18 Senegalese fans arrested after the match to prison terms ranging from three months to one year.
Three supporters completed their three-month sentences and left prison in mid-April, while 15 others remained in custody serving longer terms.
The royal pardon is expected to cover the remaining 15 detainees.
Lawyer Patrick Kabou, who represented several of the supporters, told AFP they were expected to regain their freedom late Saturday.
Bassirou Diomaye Faye welcomed the decision in a post on X, saying the detained supporters would soon reunite with their families.
He thanked King Mohammed VI for a decision he described as “imbued with clemency and humanity”.
According to Moroccan prosecutors, authorities based the charges largely on stadium surveillance footage and medical reports relating to injured police officers and stewards.
Officials estimated the damage caused during the unrest at Rabat’s Moulay Abdellah Stadium at more than 370,000 euros.
Following the incident, Confederation of African Football sanctioned both football federations for breaches of fair play and unsporting behaviour.
After CAF officially awarded the 2025 AFCON title to Morocco on March 17, Senegal appealed the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
