During a friendly football match between Senegal and Gambia on Tuesday, April 1, 2026, major Senegalese supporter groups used the international broadcast to call for the release of 18 detained fans. The groups, including Gainde, Lébougui, and Allez Casa, displayed banners with messages demanding freedom for the supporters.
The 18 individuals were arrested in February 2023 following a violent incident after a CAF Champions League match between Senegalese club ASC Jaraaf and Algerian club JS Kabylie. They were subsequently convicted and sentenced to prison terms.
Their case has drawn significant attention in Senegal, with human rights organizations and football communities criticizing the judicial process and the length of the sentences. The fan groups' protest during the high-visibility friendly match represents a continued effort to keep the case in the public eye and appeal for a presidential pardon or judicial review.
The Senegalese Football Federation has not issued an official statement regarding the protest during the match. The friendly, held at Stade Lat-Dior in Thiès, ended in a 1-1 draw.
