A group of Senegalese football supporters who were jailed following the chaotic Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Morocco in January have returned home after being pardoned by King Mohammed VI.
Royal Pardon Granted
The Moroccan king granted the pardon on humanitarian grounds on the occasion of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, the royal court announced on Saturday. Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye welcomed the jubilant supporters at the airport outside Dakar on Sunday.
"We are very happy to have them back on Senegalese soil," Faye, who wore a tracksuit for the occasion, told journalists. He thanked Moroccan authorities for the pardon but also hailed the national team as "two-time African champions," a statement likely to be seen as a dig by Morocco, given the ongoing dispute over the January final before the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.
Background of the Incident
Senegal won the tumultuous continental final against Morocco in Rabat on January 18, but the match was later awarded to the hosts on appeal. With the score tied at 0-0, a penalty awarded to Morocco in stoppage time—just after a Senegal goal was disallowed—sparked chaos. Senegalese fans tried to storm the pitch and hurled projectiles. The Senegalese team left the pitch in protest against the penalty decision, halting play for nearly 20 minutes. When they returned, they watched Morocco miss the penalty and scored a 94th-minute winner.
In February, Moroccan courts sentenced 18 Senegalese supporters to prison terms ranging from three months to one year for hooliganism. Three were released in mid-April after completing their sentences, leaving 15 still imprisoned. The royal pardon applied to those 15.
Strained Relations
The episode has strained relations between Morocco and Senegal, which have historically enjoyed friendly ties. However, the royal court stated that in view of the "age-old fraternal ties" between the two countries and on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, the king granted the pardon on humanitarian grounds. The two nations cooperate in sectors such as tourism and energy and share strong religious ties. Senegalese constitute the largest foreign community in Morocco.
