Morocco king pardons jailed Senegal football fans for ‘humanitarian reasons’

Morocco's King Mohammed VI has extended a royal pardon to Senegalese football supporters imprisoned following violent clashes at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Rabat. The decision, announced Saturday by a royal court statement, cites "humanitarian reasons" and the "age-old fraternal ties" between Morocco and Senegal, coinciding with the upcoming Eid al-Adha holiday.

The chaotic final, which Senegal initially won 1-0 before it was controversially awarded to hosts Morocco on appeal, saw Senegalese fans attempt to storm the pitch and throw projectiles after a penalty was given to Morocco in stoppage time. Moroccan courts had previously sentenced 18 Senegalese supporters to prison terms ranging from three months to a year. Three had already been released after serving their sentences, while 15 remained incarcerated.

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granted, on humanitarian grounds, his royal pardon to the Senegalese supporters

Lawyer Patrick Kabou, representing many of the supporters, anticipates their release on Saturday. The charges against the fans were primarily based on stadium camera footage and medical reports of injured security personnel. The violence also resulted in an estimated 370,000 euros ($430,000) in material damages. The dispute over the match outcome led Senegal to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after the African Football Confederation awarded the 2025 AFCON to Morocco administratively.

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view of the age-old fraternal ties