CAF President Patrice Motsepe has publicly addressed the case of 18 Senegalese supporters who were arrested in Morocco following the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final. The supporters were detained after the match and have remained in custody for an extended period, raising serious concerns among human rights advocates, Senegalese officials, and football governing bodies.
The supporters were reportedly apprehended inside the stadium at the conclusion of the final match. Their prolonged detention has drawn attention from Senegalese authorities and football stakeholders across the continent, who have called for clarity on the legal proceedings and the conditions of their detention.
Motsepe indicated that CAF was monitoring the situation and expressed concern for the welfare of the detained fans. He noted that football should be a unifying force and that supporters attending matches should be protected. However, CAF has stopped short of making formal diplomatic interventions, stating that the matter falls under Moroccan judicial jurisdiction.
The Senegalese government has reportedly been in contact with Moroccan authorities through diplomatic channels to seek updates on the case and advocate for the release or fair trial of the detained individuals. As of early April 2026, the supporters remain in detention, with no confirmed trial date publicly announced. The case continues to draw scrutiny from African football fans and civil society organizations monitoring the treatment of supporters at major continental tournaments.
