Fifteen Senegalese football fans who were sentenced to prison in Morocco for their role in disturbances during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) have returned to Senegal after receiving a royal pardon. The men were greeted by Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye upon their arrival at Dakar's Blaise Diagne International Airport on Saturday, May 23, 2026.
King Mohammed VI of Morocco granted the pardon on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, citing humanitarian grounds, according to a statement from the Moroccan royal court. The fans had been convicted for their involvement in clashes and vandalism that occurred after Senegal's defeat in the tournament's final match on February 11, 2025.
President Faye welcomed the group and thanked the Moroccan monarch for the gesture, which he described as a sign of the strong ties between the two nations. The fans' release was also facilitated by diplomatic efforts between Senegal and Morocco.
The incident had strained relations between the two countries, but the pardon is seen as a step toward reconciliation. The fans, who had been serving sentences ranging from one to two years, expressed relief and gratitude upon their return.
