Former Senegal international footballer Pape Thiaw has publicly expressed his support for a group of Senegalese supporters who were reportedly arrested in Morocco. The detentions are linked to the aftermath of the controversial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, which was awarded to Morocco by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following a dispute.
The 2025 AFCON final, originally scheduled to be played, was subject to a CAF adjudication that resulted in Morocco being declared the winner. This decision sparked significant protest and disappointment among Senegalese fans and officials. The context of the friendly match at the Stade de France mentioned in initial reports could not be independently verified for the specified date and has been omitted.
Pape Thiaw, a former striker for Senegal and several French clubs, used his platform to show solidarity with the detained supporters. Details regarding the exact number of individuals arrested, the specific charges, or their current legal status remain unconfirmed by official sources at this time.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions following the unprecedented administrative decision for the continental championship's final. Moroccan and Senegalese football authorities have not released recent joint statements concerning the fan arrests as of late March 2026.
