A group of football supporters from Senegal, who faced imprisonment following the tumultuous and violence-stricken Africa Cup of Nations final held in Morocco earlier this year, returned to their homeland on Sunday after receiving a royal pardon from King Mohammed VI. This decision was celebrated as a gesture of goodwill, coinciding with the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, as announced by Morocco's royal court.
Upon their arrival at the airport near Dakar shortly after 1:00 AM, the jubilant fans were welcomed by Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who expressed his delight at their return. Dressed in a tracksuit, Faye addressed the media, stating, "We're very happy to have them back on Senegalese soil." He also extended his gratitude to the Moroccan authorities for their decision to grant the pardon. However, in a remark that may be perceived as a subtle jab at Morocco, he referred to the Senegalese national team as "two-time African champions," despite the ongoing dispute regarding the January final, which is currently being deliberated by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.
The chaotic final took place on January 18, where Senegal initially emerged victorious against Morocco. However, following an appeal, the match was awarded to the Moroccan team under contentious circumstances. The match saw a penalty awarded to Morocco during stoppage time, following a disallowed goal for Senegal, which incited fans to storm the pitch and throw projectiles. This led to a significant delay in the game, but upon resuming, Senegal celebrated as Morocco missed their penalty and eventually scored a dramatic 94th-minute winner.
In the aftermath, 18 Senegalese supporters were sentenced to prison terms ranging from three months to one year for their involvement in the disturbances. While three fans were released in mid-April after serving their three-month sentences, the remaining 15 supporters continued to face incarceration with sentences of six months to one year. This incident has placed a strain on the historically friendly relations between Morocco and Senegal, but the royal court's recent pardon was framed as a recognition of the longstanding fraternal ties between the two nations, particularly in light of the upcoming Eid al-Adha celebrations.
Senegalese President Faye had previously welcomed the pardon in a post on social media, expressing relief for the release of the supporters and gratitude towards King Mohammed VI for his compassionate decision. The charges against the supporters stemmed primarily from video evidence collected from the Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, along with medical reports documenting injuries sustained by law enforcement personnel and stadium stewards during the incident. The financial impact of the violence was assessed at over 370,000 euros (approximately $430,000).
In late January, the Confederation of African Football imposed sanctions on both Senegal and Morocco for unsporting behavior and violations of fair play principles. Following a ruling on March 17 that awarded the title to Morocco, Senegal appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Despite the tensions arising from these events, both Morocco and Senegal share a history of collaboration in various sectors, including tourism and energy, and maintain strong religious connections. Notably, Senegalese nationals constitute the largest expatriate community residing in Morocco.
As reported by english.ahram.org.eg.
