Senegal prime minister decries Morocco’s jailing of fans after AFCON final
#AFCON final#Senegal-Morocco#Football fans sentencing#Royal pardon#Sports controversy#Africa Cup of Nations#Diplomatic protest#Prison sentences
📌 Key Takeaways
Morocco sentenced 18 Senegalese fans to prison terms following AFCON final disturbances
Senegal's Prime Minister condemned the sentencing as disproportionate between friendly nations
The incident occurred when Senegal players protested a late penalty during the final
Senegal will seek a royal pardon and has options for fans to serve sentences in their home country
📖 Full Retelling
Senegal's Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has condemned Morocco's sentencing of 18 Senegalese football fans to prison terms ranging from three months to one year in Rabat last Thursday, following disturbances during the controversial Africa Cup of Nations final that was suspended when Senegal players protested a late penalty awarded to the host nation. The disturbances occurred during the final on January 19, where Teranga Lions supporters attempted to enter the field after their team walked off in protest, leading to charges of hooliganism and violence against security officials. The sentences, which included fines of up to 5,000 dirhams ($545), were immediately criticized by Senegal's football association as 'incomprehensibly harsh,' noting that similar clashes occur in stadiums worldwide without such severe sanctions. Prime Minister Sonko addressed the matter in parliament on Tuesday, expressing regret that the issue had 'gone beyond the realm of sport' between what he called two friendly nations, while Senegal plans to seek a royal pardon from Morocco's King Mohammed VI for the detained fans.
🏷️ Themes
International Relations, Sports Justice, Diplomatic Response
The Africa Cup of Nations, commonly abbreviated as AFCON in English and CAN (from Coupe d'Afrique des Nations) in French, and currently known officially as the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations for sponsorship reasons, is the main biennial international men's association football competition in Af...
In the English and British tradition, the royal prerogative of mercy is one of the historic royal prerogatives of the British monarch, by which he can grant pardons (informally known as a royal pardon) to convicted persons. The royal prerogative of mercy was originally used to permit the monarch to ...
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Original Source
Sport | Africa Cup of Nations Senegal prime minister decries Morocco’s jailing of fans after AFCON final Morocco sentenced 18 Senegalese football fans last Thursday following disturbances at the Africa Cup of Nations final. Listen to this article | 2 mins By Kevin Hand Published On 25 Feb 2026 25 Feb 2026 Click here to share on social media Share Save Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has followed his country’s football association in denouncing Morocco’s jailing of 18 Senegalese fans following January’s Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat. The Teranga Lions supporters were arrested during the final in the Moroccan capital, which was controversially suspended as the Senegal players left the pitch in protest against the late award of a penalty to the host nation. Recommended Stories list of 4 items list 1 of 4 Bodo/Glimt: Team from the Arctic Circle on a fairytale Champions League run list 2 of 4 Prestianni, Mourinho suspended as Real Madrid face Benfica amid racism row list 3 of 4 Residents raise alarm as violence-hit Guadalajara to host World Cup games list 4 of 4 Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao agree to fight rematch in September end of list Fans, in response, attempted to enter the field of play during the match on January 19, leading to the arrest of 18 people who were later charged with hooliganism and violence against security officials. Prison sentences were handed out last Thursday to them, ranging from three months to one year, along with fines of up to 5,000 dirhams ($545). “It seems this matter goes beyond the realm of sport and that is regrettable,” Sonko told the Senegalese parliament on Tuesday. “For two countries that call each other friends, like Morocco and Senegal, things should not have gone this far.” The 18 fans have denied any wrongdoing but have not appealed the sentence. Senegal, however, will seek a royal pardon from Morocco’s King Mohammed VI. “If they do not, we have agreements that bind us and allow us to request that the suppor...
