Fifteen Senegalese football supporters who were convicted following incidents during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Morocco have returned to Dakar after receiving a royal pardon from King Mohammed VI, according to Senegalese and Moroccan officials.
The supporters arrived in the Senegalese capital late Saturday, May 23, 2026, and were welcomed by family members and local authorities. The pardon was granted by the Moroccan monarch, who has the constitutional power to issue royal clemency.
The incidents occurred after the AFCON final on February 11, 2025, in which Senegal lost to Ivory Coast. Several Senegalese fans were arrested and later sentenced to prison terms for their involvement in clashes with security forces and damage to property in Rabat.
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye had appealed to King Mohammed VI for clemency, citing the strong bilateral ties between the two nations. The Moroccan foreign ministry confirmed the pardon in a statement, emphasizing the spirit of African solidarity.
The exact number of those pardoned and the specific charges were not immediately detailed, but Senegalese media reported that 15 individuals were released and repatriated.
