Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye, President of the Senegalese National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSS), has traveled to Morocco on a mediation mission. The visit follows an incident where Senegalese football fans were denied entry to Morocco ahead of a CAF Champions League semi-final match between Wydad Athletic Club and Senegal's AS Douanes on April 11, 2026.
According to reports from Senegalese and Moroccan media, approximately 300 Senegalese supporters were refused boarding on a Royal Air Maroc flight from Dakar to Casablanca. The airline cited a lack of required entry authorization from Moroccan authorities. The incident caused significant tension, with fans stranded at the airport.
Ndiaye's mission, confirmed by the CNOSS, aims to ease diplomatic and sporting tensions arising from the event. He is engaging with Moroccan sports officials and authorities to clarify the circumstances and prevent future occurrences. The match proceeded without the traveling supporters, ending in a 1-0 victory for Wydad AC.
The situation touches on broader issues of fan mobility for continental competitions. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has regulations intended to facilitate spectator access, making this incident a point of contention between the football federations and governments involved.
