In a significant gesture of goodwill, King Mohammed VI of Morocco has granted a royal pardon to Senegalese fans who were imprisoned following violent incidents during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final earlier this year in Rabat. This decision, described as being made for 'humanitarian considerations,' reflects the longstanding fraternal ties between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Senegal. The royal cabinet issued a statement highlighting that the pardon coincides with the celebration of the Aid al-Adha festival, which is set to take place on Wednesday in Morocco.
The AFCON final, held on January 18, saw Senegal triumph over Morocco with a score of 1-0, amidst chaotic scenes that unfolded during the match. Tensions escalated after a controversial penalty was awarded to Morocco during injury time, shortly following a disallowed goal for Senegal. Consequently, some Senegalese fans attempted to storm the pitch and hurled objects onto the field, prompting a swift response from authorities.
In February, Moroccan judicial authorities sentenced 18 supporters from Senegal's 'Lions of Teranga' to prison terms ranging from three months to one year, as they had been detained since the conclusion of the final match. By mid-April, three Senegalese fans were released after serving their three-month sentences. The recent pardon issued by King Mohammed VI is expected to benefit the remaining 15 fans still in custody, providing them with a chance for early release.
This royal act comes on the heels of a significant decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to award Morocco the hosting rights for the AFCON 2025 tournament on March 17. Following this announcement, Senegal has taken the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in an attempt to challenge the decision.
As reported by unitel.bo.
