Morocco's King Mohammed VI has granted a royal pardon to 14 Senegalese football fans who had been detained in the country since January 2025, according to official sources. The fans were arrested during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) tournament held in Morocco.
The pardon, announced on May 23, 2026, comes after diplomatic discussions between Senegal and Morocco. The Senegalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the release, stating that the fans were expected to return to Senegal shortly.
The detainees were among several Senegalese supporters arrested for alleged offenses during the tournament. Details of the charges were not immediately disclosed, but the pardon resolves a lingering issue between the two nations.
Senegalese President Macky Sall thanked King Mohammed VI for the gesture, emphasizing the strong bilateral ties between the two countries. The fans' families had previously appealed for their release.
